Retail sales data indicate people in Scotland drinking 2 litres more pure alcohol per adult than people in England in 2010. New analysis of alcohol retail sales figures by NHS Health Scotland also confirms the growing trend towards home drinking with on-sales alcohol purchases dropping by 28% between 1994 and 2010 and off-trade purchases going up by 52% over the same period.

The higher volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland is driven by higher off-trade sales of spirits, particularly cheap vodka. Given that Scotland also experiences a higher level of alcohol-related harm than England, this evidence suggests that setting a minimum price for alcohol will be an effective measure in Scotland for reducing alcohol consumption and harm.

For more information go to: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/5435.aspx