Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research predicts that minimum pricing and banning irresponsible promotions could eventually prevent thousands of deaths, illnesses and crimes and save Scotland millions of pounds every year.
Predictions include:
- Harmful drinkers paying an extra £137 per year compared with £11 for moderate drinkers,
- Harmful drinkers' consumption falling 9% (the equivalent of 294 units of alcohol),
- Total alcohol consumption across society falling 5.4%,
- A fall in alcohol-related illnesses of 1,200 in year one and 3,700 by year 10, and,
- A fall in crime of 3,200 offences per year.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘These findings confirm that minimum pricing can be a key weapon in the battle against alcohol misuse.
‘That's why the Scottish government has included it in a package of measures which, taken together, could have a significant impact in reducing Scotland's alcohol misuse burden.'
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