Stark new statistics on Scotland's deepening alcohol problem
This is more than 50% above the Chief Medical Officers' safe drinking guidelines of 14 for both men and women.
This latest figures shows that while the volume of alcohol sold is decreasing, it remains higher than the amount sold per adult in England and Wales.
The data also reveals stark inequalities between those from the most and least deprived areas in Scotland.
People living in Scotland's most deprived areas are six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from causes wholly related to alcohol compared to those in the least deprived communities.
READ MORE:
Swinney urged to act in bid to reverse near-record alcohol deaths
Programme for Government: Alcohol ban on trains to end
Scotland's drug and alcohol deaths remain among worst in Europe
Dr Tara Shivaji, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS, said: "Today's updates add to the evidence base that as a population, Scotland is consuming too much alcohol.
'If current drinking patterns continue, we project a 21% increase in alcohol-related disease burden by 2043 compared to 2019 levels. This means thousands more individuals and families facing the devastating impacts of alcohol related ill-health such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
'Every week, people across Scotland are drinking well above the recommended 14-unit limit, significantly increasing their risk of these serious health conditions.
'The newly released data provides compelling evidence that despite progress, Scotland's relationship with alcohol remains deeply problematic and requires immediate attention.
'This isn't inevitable," Dr Shivaji added, "With urgent, collective and evidence-based action to tackle harmful alcohol use, we can change Scotland's path. We need to take steps to implement the preventative measures outlined in the Population Health Framework. This means addressing the availability, affordability, and attractiveness of alcohol, as well as providing early intervention and support for people experiencing problems. But that work must start now.'
Since Scotland introduced Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in 2018, alcohol deaths have dropped by 13.4%, and overall drinking fell by 3%.
However, the number of people in Scotland whose death was caused by alcohol remains high, with the figures for 2023 showing the largest number of deaths in 15 years.
Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: 'The Scottish Government is working to reduce alcohol-related harm and deaths. Our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy and the decision to uprate the unit price to 65 pence per unit is a key part of our approach to tackling alcohol harm.
'We want every person experiencing harm from alcohol use to be able access the support they need. That is why we have allocated £112 million to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships for treatment and support services.
'The forthcoming UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment are anticipated to further support the improvement of alcohol treatment in Scotland. In addition, the recently published Population Health Framework sets out a 10-year plan for population health, including addressing the harms caused by alcohol.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
11 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Cosmetic cowboys face ban amid crackdown on dodgy fillers & bad Botox in Scotland
The Scottish Government has revealed new proposals to crack down on risky cosmetic surgery procedures HAD THEIR FILL Cosmetic cowboys face ban amid crackdown on dodgy fillers & bad Botox in Scotland Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COSMETIC cowboys who are flooding Scotland's streets with dodgy fillers and bad Botox are facing a ban. In recent months there have been a raft of horror stories about botched treatments and poorly trained practitioners ghosting clients after procedures have gone wrong. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Scottish Government has introduced new proposals to stop unregulated procedures Credit: Getty And Scotland was branded the worst place in Europe for dodgy lip fillers and Botox. But now the Scottish Government has revealed new proposals to crack down on risky cosmetic surgery procedures. It aims to stop botched procedures and shut down backstreet surgeries that have left a number of patients with life changing injuries. As the sector is not currently fully regulated, anybody can carry out the procedures without formal training. However, under the proposed legislation, fillers and the use of Botox will have to be supervised by a qualified healthcare professional. While, "breast and buttock augmentations" must be carried out by a qualified professional. Microneedling and cosmetic laser treatments will require both a premises licence and individual practitioner licences issued by local authorities. Medical professionals have welcomed the move but have also warned that the new rules might still allow unqualified people to carry out less dangerous procedures. Dr Ben Taylor-Davies, who runs the Stockbridge Clinic in Edinburgh, told the Daily Record: "Whilst I firmly believe injectable treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers should only ever be carried out by a registered medical professional, the Scottish Government's proposals are a big step in the right direction for patient safety in Scotland. "For too long the public has been at unacceptable levels of risk. People have come to significant harm due to the lack of regulation. I'm Olivia Attwood's beautician here's why you should avoid 'preventative Botox' "Now we need to make sure this is implemented across Scotland and that the necessary legal powers exist to protect the public from unnecessary harm. "Hopefully this is just the start of a wider theme of tighter regulation that will ultimately protect public safety." The Scottish Government proposals also intends to introduce a minimum age of 18 for all procedures. The changes will bring Scotland into line with England - where the UK Government made it an offence for an unregulated person to give Botox or filler to under-18s in 2021. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: "It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong. "The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications. Steps before treatment THE T.I.M.E initiative, a consumer safety scheme supported by MPs, influential bodies and key industry figures, to ensure consumers get the best possible experience and better protect themselves. Their checklist for customers to ask practioners aims to help people know what to be aware of when booking in for treatments: TRAINING – What qualifications and training, including continual professional development (CPD) do you and all your staff have? INSURANCE – Are you insured and, if so, who by? MONITORING – Do you carry out important pre and post appointment processes such as patch tests, consultations and aftercare? EVIDENCE – Is there certified proof of training, insurance and any client testimonials? "These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry. "I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation." Last year Kathryn Tumulcha, from Dalkeith, spoke out after a Botox jab left her looking like she'd had a stroke after going to a 'cheap practitioner'. While, Renata Wojno, from East Kilbride, blamed herself after being left with lumps on her face from a cosmetic injectable after finding a woman on Facebook who did the jabs from her home. Katie Price's beautician was banned from operating in Glasgow after a woman's Brazilian bum lift procedure resulted in a 999 dash. The company carried out the BBL in a hotel function room at a Holiday Inn in the city centre in March, which left the 49-year-old in agony.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Falkirk councillors support push for young carers to get a break
Members also agreed to support the annual Young Carers Action Day and sign a covenant pledging their support Falkirk councillors unanimously agreed to give their support to young carers and push for their right to get a break when needed. At a meeting of Falkirk Council this week, a joint motion was proposed by Labour Councillor Anne Hannah who highlighted the "fantastic job" that carers do - in particular young carers. She said: "At the end of this week, we will be going into recess and many of us will be going off to have a break. Carers do not have that option and young carers are often doing a job 365 days a year or 366 in a leap year." Her motion asked the council to write to the Scottish Government asking it to support young carers' right to a break. Councillors also agreed to sign up to the UK wide Young Carers Covenant and support the annual Young Carers Action Day, which takes place in March. Cllr Hannah said: "There will no costs involved to the council but we are asking the Scottish Government to take up this issue." She praised the work that is already being done to support young carers but added: "We can always do more!" The SNP's Councillor Fiona Collie seconded the motion and said she was very aware of the excellent work that is being done in Scotland, although she agreed "there is much more to do". Cllr Collie said she herself had cared for her disabled father, adding it was an experience that: "I would and could not regret for a moment". "I value every second we had with him - but it came at a cost," she said. "Being a young carer or young adult carer brings significant challenges in all areas of a young person's life - often reduced educational opportunities and life chances, with a life much different from their peers." But, she added: "We can change this picture. It's important that we support young carers as early as we can and make a commitment to doing so across the services that we provide young people." Cllr Collie told the meeting : "I didn't know I was a carer. I had no idea that I'd been one. "It's testament to the work of Young Carers and the organisations working with them that today we are talking about young carers, Young Carers Action Day and the covenant and how we as councillors and as a council, and through the HSCP can deliver the support that they need to thrive." Councillors from all parties and Independents gave their support to the motion unanimously.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
GPs in 'formal dispute' with ministers over £290m funding gap
Doctors have entered a formal dispute with the Scottish government, the British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland has union has called for "full restoration" of a £290m funding gap for GP surgeries and said the next step would be to ballot doctors on disruptive said the share of the health service budget has fallen against inflation every year since 2008, and surgeries cannot afford to hire the staff they Scottish government said it was taking forward discussions with BMA Scotland "to avert escalation of this dispute". A joint statement from Dr Iain Morrison, Dr Chris Black and Dr Al Miles from BMA Scotland's GP committee said doctors faced "significant challenges" in delivering core services. It said: "The ridiculous paradox of GP Partners having to look at what hours across the practice can be reduced in order to balance the books, at a time of more demand on services than ever before, must stop. "The impact this is having on the locum market and job opportunities, especially for our newly qualified GPs, is shockingly stark." The union said it would launch a "Stand with your Surgery" campaign for £290m to come back directly to GP practices. It said the declaration of the formal dispute was the next legal step in escalating concerns in preparation for a ballot on "disruptive action".Dr Iain Morrison added: "I want to make it clear, no one wants this escalation to take place. "Urgent talks with the Scottish government continue to identify how they can work with us to provide full funding restoration and exit this dispute."Research by BMA Scotland suggests the funding which GP practices receive for every patient has been eroded year after year against inflation since the Scottish government said it has increased investment and was determined to increase the number of GPs in Secretary Neil Gray said: "The Scottish government values greatly the work of general practice and is actively taking forward discussions with the BMA over this summer to avert escalation of this dispute and address the BMA's concerns."The BMA entering into formal dispute with us will not affect the care patients receive".
