There would be almost 200 fewer alcohol-related deaths every year with the introduction of a minimum alcohol price of €1 per unit, Government commissioned research has shown.
However, minimum pricing will also substantially increase the revenues of retailers, particularly supermarkets and shops, whose coffers will be boosted by almost €70m.
The research, conducted by the Sheffield University Alcohol Research Group, was commissioned by the Irish and Northern Irish governments as part of plans to introduce minimum pricing. These plans are on hold pending the outcome of a decision by the European Court of Justice on Scottish government plans — opposed by the drinks industry — to implement minimum pricing.
The report, details of which were produced before the Oireachtas Joint Health Committee, show a minimum unit price of €1 per standard drink will result in:
- 8.8% fall in overall consumption.
- 197 fewer deaths 20 years after the policy is introduced — a 16% drop.
- 5,900 fewer hospital admissions — a 10% drop.
- 1,500 less criminal offences in the first year.
- 116,000 less days absent from work.
- €1.7 billion in cost savings to society after 20 years.
- €1.1bn in health savings, €103m in crime savings and €237m in workplace savings.
“There is strong and consistent evidence that price increases reduce alcohol consumption and related harm,” Dr John Holmes of the Sheffield University Alcohol Research Group told the committee.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 13/03/15
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