Scotland needs raft of measures to reduce alcohol harms, say medical groups

Leading medical organisations and charities in Scotland are calling for tougher measures to reduce the harm caused by alcohol at a time when alcohol related deaths are at their highest level since 2008.The organisations want to see restrictions on alcohol marketing, an increase in the minimum price from 50p a unit to at least 65p, substantial investment in alcohol support services, and a levy imposed on alcohol retailers to fund local prevention and treatment.A briefing paper supported by 34 organisations1—including Alcohol Health Alliance UK, BMA Scotland, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland—says that the Scottish government needs to demonstrate strong leadership in tackling the country’s alcohol problems.Scotland recorded 1245 alcohol related deaths in 2021, its highest number for 13 years.2 The same report found that deaths had increased by 22% during the covid pandemic, a rise thought to be related to…
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