Minimum unit pricing (MUP) linked to fewer alcohol deaths in Scotland
The UK is familiar with alcohol use in one form or another. Studies classify alcohol misusers as:
- Young adult alcoholics, who often do not acknowledge a problem and do not seek help.
- Antisocial alcohol-dependent people, who present with various mental health illnesses.
- Functional alcoholics, who are part of the workforce and support their own addiction.
- Chronic acute users, who start drinking at a young age and escalate the addiction as they grow older.
Alcohol deaths in the UK
Recent statistics for 2021 indicate that 9,641 people lost their lives in alcohol-related incidents. To date, this is the highest number ever recorded and trumps the 2020 records by 7.4%.
More concerning is the fact that the 2020 figures saw a 27.4% rise in alcohol deaths from 2019. Scotland and Northern Ireland led the alcohol fatality poles in 2021 with 22 and 19 mortalities per 100,000 people respectively.
Alcohol-based liver disease is the main cause of death among consumers. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is often labelled a motivator for increased alcohol use, other drivers also amplify the problem.
One of the reasons quoted as the cause of alcohol deaths is cheap alcohol. Rehabilitation experts believe this to be a contributor to alcohol misuse and the consequences, such as violence and motor vehicle accidents, associated with it.
The minimum unit pricing (MUP) of alcohol
On 1st May 2018, the Scottish Government established minimum pricing for alcohol at 50 pence per unit. This minimum unit pricing (MUP) aimed to reduce usage and alcohol deaths. So, drinks with higher percentages of alcohol are more expensive than those containing lower alcohol volumes.
The latest findings show that this measure alone prevented roughly 156 deaths each year since its implementation. This study – a combined effort between Public Health Scotland and the University of Glasgow – showed 13.4% fewer alcohol deaths and a 4.1% drop in hospitalisations.
Those involved in this research confirmed a link between preventive measures, such as MUP, and a decrease in alcohol misuse illnesses, incidents and deaths. These findings also included deprived areas, where drug and alcohol misuse take a high toll.
Workplace alcohol testing as another preventive measure
Experts at all levels and in all sectors use testing as the first line of defence when it comes to identifying problems and executing treatment plans for alcohol abuse. When combined with initiatives such as MUP, authorities can decrease alcohol deaths even further.
The workplace is one of the most accessible areas to perform random and scheduled alcohol testing. Matrix Diagnostics, leading alcohol and drug testing specialist, sets up workplace testing programmes from start to finish.
Matrix offers impartial advice on the implementation of workplace drug and alcohol testing so that companies can develop informed policies. Services also include a collections network and full training and support for on-site testing.
This enables employers to pinpoint problems and get timely help for their employees before problems get out of hand. Find out more here to set up your workplace alcohol and drug testing programme.