Minimum Unit Pricing In Scotland Hasn't Dissuaded Alcoholics From Drinking, According To A New Report

Tuesday, 7 June 2022 14:47

By Caoimhe Harney

Minimum unit pricing was rolled out in Ireland in January.

Raising the price of alcohol does little to reduce people's drinking habits, according to new research.

A study commissioned by NHS Scotland found there was "no evidence" that minimum unit pricing stops heavy drinkers from buying alcohol.

The measure, which was rolled out in Ireland in January, has seen some heavy drinkers cutting back on essentials to cover the higher cost of alcohol.

In some cases, heavy drinkers spent almost 30% less on essentials.

Michael Guerin is an addiction counsellor at Cuan Mhuire Centre in Co Limerick, and he says the policy doesn't have a major effect on problem drinkers:

Eunan McKinney from Alcohol Action Ireland says minimum unit pricing has a positive impact on reducing alcohol harm overall:

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