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STV News
23-06-2025
- Health
- STV News
Only one in six Scots feel comfortable talking about alcohol, survey finds
Only one in six (17%) adults in Scotland feel comfortable talking about their relationship with alcohol, according to new research. A poll carried out by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) of 2,000 UK adults shows it is one of the least talked-about topics, less than money (32%) or sex (19%). The survey to mark Cancer Prevention Action Week found many people still do not understand the health risks of drinking alcohol. Across the UK, one in four adults say alcohol has no health risks. In Scotland, this dropped to one in six. Meanwhile, only one in 14 UK adults mentioned cancer as a risk when asked about alcohol. Laura Mahon, deputy chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: 'Every day in Scotland three people are diagnosed with an alcohol-related cancer, yet the alcohol industry continues to keep the public in the dark about the health risks of their products by choosing not to provide us with the clear information we need to make informed choices. 'The Scottish Government must empower consumers in Scotland by introducing mandatory health warning labels on alcohol products. This should form part of a refreshed and robust alcohol strategy focused on strong preventative measures to reduce alcohol harm.' Since Scotland introduced Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in 2018, alcohol deaths have dropped by 13.4%, and overall drinking fell by 3%. But the Covid pandemic caused a rise in risky drinking and more alcohol-related deaths. iStock Minimum unit pricing was introduced in Scotland in 2018 World Cancer Research Fund CEO Rachael Gormley said: 'Alcohol is pervasive in our lives, from celebrations to after-work drinks and social gatherings. But do we truly understand the risks involved? 'Our findings show that most people are unaware that any amount of alcohol elevates the risk of seven types of cancer. 'It's essential that we engage in more discussions about alcohol and cancer, empowering individuals to make informed health choices.' With Scottish elections coming up, WCRF urges politicians to build on the success of MUP. They want a new National Alcohol Strategy that focuses on prevention and includes a fresh Cancer Action Plan. World Cancer Research Fund executive director of research and policy, Dr Panagiota Mitrou, said: 'While a coordinated approach across the UK would undeniably be most effective in tackling alcohol harm across the country, we urge the next Scottish government to make full use of their devolved powers which will allow them to make progress in key areas such as mandatory health warning labels and marketing restrictions. 'We also urge the UK government to work with the devolved administrations to take bold and collective action to reduce consumption. 'Crucially, the policies set out in a revised alcohol strategy must be developed in conjunction with a new plan for cancer, given that the Scottish government's current Cancer Action Plan expires in 2026. 'Ultimately, both renewed strategies must place prevention at their core.' Breast cancer survivor Nikki Bednall said: 'I always thought drinking a few times a week was fine. I never knew it could raise my cancer risk. 'If I'd known earlier, I might have made different choices. Though hindsight is easy, my perspective has changed with the knowledge that came after my diagnosis. 'For example, I now drink very little alcohol to stack the odds in my favour as much as possible. Now, my motto is: 'Look after your body like you have nowhere else to live because the reality is you don't.' Health Secretary Neil Gray 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 £112m 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.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Scots could be hit by EVEN MORE booze price increases
Levels of booze deaths in Scotland are still far worse than the rest of the UK BOOZE BLUES Scots could be hit by EVEN MORE booze price increases Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTS could be hit with another rise in the cost of alcohol if new changes are introduced. Minimum unit pricing increased from 50p per unit to 65p per unit from September 30 last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Scots could be hit with another rise in the cost of alcohol Credit: Getty Anyone with a licence to sell alcohol cannot sell it cheaper than this to the public. The levy came into effect in 2018 and was part of efforts to cut the harm caused by booze. Overall, in 2023, there were 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes. In Scotland, there were 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths, up by one on 2022, and a 15-year high. Now calls have been made for automatic increases to minimum unit pricing, which would apply without Government approval, reports the Daily Mail. A new report signed by Alcohol Focus Scotland, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and the Royal College of Nursing is backing the introduction of "automatic uprating of the minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol to optimise the effectiveness of the policy in saving and improving lives". It comes as First Minister John Swinney is set to announce his programme for government next Tuesday, May 6. Last year, a 13 per cent bottle of wine increased from £4.88 to £6.34. A 700ml bottle of 40 per cent spirits like whisky was hiked by more than £4 - from £14 to £18.20. And a four-pack of five per cent ABV beer costs at least £5.72, compared to £4.40 previously. Symptoms, causes and treatment for liver cancer Laura Mahon, acting chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: "For too long, we have seen deaths from alcohol continue to rise. "We need concrete measures to prevent this - time is running out for this Government to demonstrate genuine results, so together with partners, we've provided a roadmap for delivery. "Now we need to see clear leadership and investment. "Earlier detection of liver damage is essential because of its life-saving potential. "A number of these initiatives are already happening at a local level and could be scaled up and enable people with serious or potentially life-threatening alcohol problems to be identified sooner and supported more effectively, reducing their risk of experiencing further harm." Health Secretary Neil Gray said: "We remain focused on reducing alcohol-related harm and deaths. "Early detection of liver disease is a priority which is being delivered by the national Centre for Sustainable Delivery. "Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading minimum unit pricing policy has saved hundreds of lives and likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions."
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Scottish Government must act 'urgently' on alcohol deaths, more than 70 organisations warn
Numerous charities have called for ministers to do more Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government must act urgently over the number of alcohol deaths, more than 70 organisations have warned. Speaking ahead of next week's Programme for Government, a collective of organisations including Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, charities, recovery groups and Medical Royal Colleges say ministers must prioritise increasing early detection and treatment of liver disease, alongside other targeted measures to address the highest number of unnecessary deaths from alcohol since 2008. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They point to the cost on the economy, an estimated £10 billion per year, including an annual £700million bill for our NHS, £1.2billion in lost productivity costs and a further £1billion through alcohol related crime. The letter has been signed by a host of groups, including Alcohol Focus Scotland, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, The Salvation Army, the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Drugs Forum. Alcohol deaths have risen across the UK in recent years, although Scotland continues to have the highest rate. In 2023, 1,277 deaths from conditions wholly caused by alcohol were recorded in Scotland. Mr Swinney has been told by the 72-strong group that agreeing to its demands is 'essential' to fulfilling his Government's key priorities of eradicating child poverty, boosting the Scottish economy and improving public services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Laura Mahon, Acting Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: 'For too long we have seen deaths from alcohol continue to rise. We need concrete measures to prevent this. Time is running out for this Government to demonstrate genuine results, so together with partners, we've provided a roadmap for delivery. Now we need to see clear leadership and investment. 'It is also crucial that we consider the bigger picture. People don't just become unwell overnight. We are continually being fed the message that alcohol has an essential role in our lives, normalising drinking and influencing our consumption habits. We need to challenge this with well evidenced and cost-effective prevention measures adopted as part of a robust strategy for now and into the future.' Professor Ross McGuffie, chief executive NHS Forth Valley with Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care when he visited FVRH earlier this year. Pic: Michael Gillen Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, Chair of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, said: 'The Scottish Government declared alcohol harms to be a public health emergency in 2021, but we have not seen an emergency response. Deaths and illness from alcohol continue to rise but this is not inevitable. If politicians take bold action now we can prevent future harm. 'Alcohol is linked to over 100 illnesses including cancer, heart disease and liver disease. Investment in treatment saves lives - for every £1 spent on treatment there is a £3 return. Alcohol Care Teams, for example, can lower the number of acute hospital admissions, readmissions, and deaths along with improving the quality of care for people with alcohol-related health problems. However, inconsistencies in approach mean not everyone has access to these life-saving services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We need an overall alcohol strategy which sets out what steps the government will take in terms of prevention – including action on the price, availability and marketing of alcohol – but also how it will improve treatment services so that everyone can access help when and where they need it.' Louise Stewart, Director of Operations at WithYou in Scotland, says: 'We know that community-based recovery, treatment and support services can play a vital role in helping people to change their relationship with alcohol. Yet 80 per cent of people experiencing alcohol dependency are not accessing treatment. 'As well as increasing the availability and long-term funding of services, we need to challenge the way alcohol is enmeshed with our culture, overcome harmful stereotypes, and let people know that change is possible.' Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'We remain focused on reducing alcohol-related harm and deaths. Early detection of liver disease is a priority which is being delivered by the national Centre for Sustainable Delivery. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Number of Scots with chronic liver disease expected to rise by 54 percent
The number of people in Scotland living with chronic liver disease is expected to increase by 54% by 2044. It equates to an additional 23,100 people living with chronic liver disease in 2044, compared to 2019. It currently stands at 43,200 cases and figures released by Public Health Scotland expect it to rise to 66,300. It is believed work could be done to ensure this projected increases could be prevented at all levels. Recent trends have illustrated the rate of hospital stays for chronic liver disease increased by 12% from 2013/14 to 2022/23 but the mortality rate decreased by the same percentage. Early diagnosis can reduce the impact and reducing exposure to risk factors such as alcohol use, obesity and hepatitis B and C is important. Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, Chair of Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, said: 'Today's estimate by PHS predicts that by 2044, there will be a rise of over 50% in chronic liver disease in Scotland, placing a huge burden on our already-struggling NHS. 'Over 70% of this liver disease burden is due to alcohol, and these figures underline the severity of the public health emergency from alcohol that Scotland is facing, with the latest figures showing alcohol is directly responsible for 1,277 deaths annually. READ MORE Deaths of three newborn babies 'could have been avoided', inquiry finds 'Such an increase in liver disease is not inevitable. Public health measures to reduce alcohol consumption will help. Minimum unit pricing is already reducing the level of harm, but the Scottish Government needs to do more such as restrict alcohol marketing. 'There are many missed opportunities to intervene to reduce heavy alcohol intake before liver damage occurs. Like cancer, liver disease is often silent until it has reached an advanced, incurable stage, and so, just like cancer, early detection is vital. 'We now have the tools to do this and early detection of liver disease in at-risk individuals such as heavy drinkers needs to become routine practice. 'Today's PHS figures are a call to action. If we introduce public health preventative measures and make early detection and treatment of both heavy drinking and liver disease routine, we can prevent this huge rise in liver disease. But we need to act now.' More than 70% of chronic liver disease is caused by alcohol and the percentage of liver disease deaths where alcohol was the primary cause has almost doubled since 1982. Laura Mahon, Deputy Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said: 'These shocking figures once again highlight the fact that Scotland is in the grip of ongoing alcohol emergency, which is only likely to worsen without a genuine emergency response. 'Alcohol-specific deaths have reached a 15-year high. Alcohol-related liver disease is responsible for most of these deaths, with 805 people lost to this disease in 2023. It is a silent killer, which can affect people over the long-term, often showing no obvious symptoms until it's too late. Just regularly drinking over 14 units per week increases your risk of developing liver disease. 'It doesn't have to be this way. Each of these deaths is entirely preventable, and there are a range of well evidenced and cost-effective prevention measures available which could be adopted. 'These include increased use of non-invasive liver scans to enable those at high risk to be identified sooner and provided with care and support to address their liver problem and their alcohol use. Restrictions on alcohol marketing and introducing clear health warning labels on alcohol products should form part of a new comprehensive alcohol strategy. 'Not only would these measures save thousands of lives, they would also substantially reduce the financial pressures on our health service, ultimately delivering better healthcare for everyone.'
The Independent
05-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland reach 15-year high
The number of alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland has reached a 15-year high, the latest official figures show. There were 1,277 deaths from conditions wholly caused by alcohol recorded in 2023, compared to 1,276 the year before, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data reveals. There were 10,473 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK overall in 2023, a rate of 15.9 per 100,000 – another record high for the country. Scotland continues to have one of the highest rates of alcohol deaths in the UK along with Northern Ireland – 22.6 per 100,000 people and 18.5 per 100,000 respectively. David Mais, of the social care and health division of the ONS, said: 'Today's results show 10,473 alcohol-specific deaths were registered in the UK in 2023. 'This is an increase of 4.2% compared to 2022 and continues the upward trend we have seen since 2018. 'However, rates decreased for the first time since 2020 for people aged between 25 and 59 years.' Laura Mahon, deputy chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: 'These latest alcohol death figures add to an appalling series of announcements over the past few years, which have been worsening since the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating that Scotland and the rest of the UK is firmly in the grip of an alcohol health emergency. 'The truth is that a majority of these deaths, mostly caused by liver disease, come as a result of people drinking heavily over the course of many years – with one in five Scots drinking at a level which could be harmful to their health, including increasing their risk of liver disease and cancer. 'Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic exacerbated drinking patterns and we saw those who were already drinking heavily increase their consumption. 'Alcohol remains at the centre of cultural and social life in Scotland, a position which the alcohol industry works hard to maintain by spending huge amounts of money on advertising and sponsorship to normalise drinking and influence our consumption habits. 'The industry seeks to keep people in the dark about the health harms of alcohol by failing to provide us with the clear information we need to be able to make informed choices about our health. 'But we don't have to go on accepting the status quo. The Scottish and UK governments have the power to legislate to shield the public, especially children, young people and other vulnerable groups from corporate influence by restricting advertising; empower people to make informed decisions on their health by forcing the industry to provide us with clear health information on alcohol products; and challenge the central position of alcohol in our lives by reducing its availability. 'For those experiencing the most serious alcohol problems, we need to see greater and faster access to the treatment and support they need. 'That's why we've been joining partners again recently in calling for the Scottish Government to bring forward a comprehensive and credible plan that will genuinely tackle Scotland's ongoing alcohol emergency.'
