Alcohol consumption in Scotland falls by nearly 10%

Published: 10 December, 2013

Alcohol consumption in Scotland has fallen by 8% since 2009 with 18 to 24 year-olds young people increasingly looking to drink less, according to a new report.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has welcomed the release of the third annual MESAS report (measuring and evaluating Scotland's alcohol strategy) which shows positive progress in tackling alcohol related harm in Scotland.

According to the report, alcohol consumption in Scotland has fallen 8% since 2009 and the number of people exceeding recommended drinking guidelines is continuing to fall. This is being driven by a fall in consumption amongst young people (18-24 year olds). Rates of alcohol related mortality and hazardous drinking are also down.

WSTA chief executive, Miles Beale, pictured, said: "We welcome the evidence that more and more people in Scotland are drinking within the recommended guidelines. The report shows that positive change is taking place without minimum unit pricing, a policy which would punish the vast majority of responsible drinkers.

"A recent study by the University of East Anglia and the University of Cambridge into Scotland's multi-buy promotions found that the policy had failed to reduce the amount of alcohol purchased and was ineffective.

“The industry supports - and will continue to support - targeted action, local partnership working and more and better education, all of which are proven interventions that reduce alcohol misuse."

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