Humza Yusuf tells watchdog that minimum price on alcohol 'saves lives'

Humza Yusuf has lashed out at the beverage industry for delaying his policies. for allegedly misleading health claims about minimum alcohol prices.

Scottish Tories have called on Statistics UK to launch an investigation into a report on the impact of SNP flagship policies, which, according to Mr Yusuf, “literally saves lives.»

Experts are divided on the quality of the evidence supporting this claim, with some stating that it has not been conclusively proven that charging at least 50p per unit of alcohol directly resulted in fewer deaths .

In Holyrood last week, the first minister lashed out at the beverage industry, saying it cost «many more lives» for postponing a policy with legal problems before it was introduced in 2018.

However, the Conservatives accused the SNP of a «desperate spin» and called on the watchdog to take action on what they called a «grossly misleading report» assessing the policies of the public health agency in Scotland (PHS).

The cost of cider and spirits has increased

Only one study conducted by a PHS Counsel concluded that the deaths «could» have been avoided «if Scotland had not passed MUP [minimum unit price] legislation».

Mr Yousaf and his officials individuals categorically stated that the law, which increased the cost of strong and inexpensive drinks such as cider and spirits, saved the lives of the Scots.

“I feel compelled to write to Statistics UK because this report is misleading,” said Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Tory health spokesman.

“SNP ministers see MUP as a panacea for drinking but none of the studies to date have confirmed this theory — and this too, despite their desperate rotation.

“At best, the jury is still out on whether MUP is effective; indeed, there is evidence to suggest that it is counterproductive as it causes some problem drinkers to refuse food.”

Alcohol-related deaths in Scotland have risen by about 10 per cent since the policy was introduced.

However, the researchers said they found «convincing evidence» that deaths were avoided by the policy, as deaths rose at a higher rate in England, where the policy was not implemented.

The experts expressed their doubts.

Following the release of the report, the Scottish government said it had shown that the MUP had «saved lives».

SNP ministers proposed making the policy permanent as it included an «expiration clause», meaning that its duration expires in 2024.

They also suggested that consideration be given to raising the minimum price per unit of alcohol to 65p.

Some experts have expressed doubts that the evidence supporting this policy is as strong as the ministers claim.

Questions have been raised over another study published in the Lancet in March 2023, which is cited in the PHS report .< /p>

While some researchers supported his conclusion that there were 13.4% fewer deaths as a result of a policy based on comparison with England, others were not convinced.

Professor Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics at the Open University, said: «Some doubts remain as to whether MUP has actually caused a change in alcohol consumption and therefore whether it is responsible for the decline in mortality.»

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Public Health Scotland has used research management processes and established scientific methods to ensure impartiality, and their assessment of the quality of inclusion documents has been validated by a third party not involved in the MUP assessment.

“The draft Final Report was reviewed by members of the Evidence Synthesis Advisory Group, which included members with a variety of relevant backgrounds, including life experience, public health experience and knowledge, and knowledge of evidence synthesis. evidence for decision.

“The Scottish Government will consider a wide range of evidence and information to support our current assessment of the effect of floor unit prices. Our final report on the Interior Ministry will be presented to Parliament in the fall.”