Pricing
There is now a significant body of evidence that has examined the policies that are most effective in reducing alcohol-related harm.
A review of 32 alcohol strategies and interventions has found that in terms of the degree of effectiveness, the breadth of
research support, the extent to which they have been tested cross-culturally, and the relative expense of implementation, the most effective alcohol policies include regulatory interventions (controls on price and availability of alcohol); brief interventions for hazardous and harmful drinkers; and drink-driving laws.
The relationship between alcohol price and the level of consumption and associated harm is one of the most researched
areas of alcohol policy. Many individual and aggregate level studies have examined the effects of price changes on overall
consumption of alcohol, and on the consumption of different types of alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, and spirits).
Essentially, what the weight of evidence from all these studies and reviews indicates is that alcohol appears to behave like most other consumer goods in the market. That is, when all other factors remain the same, an increase in the price of alcohol generally leads to a decrease in consumption, and vice versa.
Resources
BMJ: Reducing harm from alcohol
British Medical Journal. Date of publication: 20 March 2009.
Understanding the link between alcohol affordability, consumption and harms
By RAND Europe. Date of publication: 6 April 2009.
This report analyses the effect of alcohol affordability on consumption and three measures of associated harm: fatal traffic accidents, increase in traffic injuries and chronic liv...
Independent Review of the Effects of Alcohol Pricing and Promotion
In December 2008, the Department of Health published an independent review, by the School of Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield (ScHARR) to better understand the link between alcohol related harm and how alcohol is promoted and priced. Government is evaluating the findings.
- Download Independent Review Of The Effects Of Alcohol Pricing And Promotion: Part B (PDF, 1199K)
- Download Independent Review Of The Effects Of Alcohol Pricing And Promotion Part A: Systematic Reviews (PDF, 1959K)
- Download The Independent Review Of The Effects Of Alcohol Pricing And Promotion Summary of Evidence to Accompany Report on Phase 1: Systematic Reviews (PDF, 176K)
ALCOHOL Price, Policy and Public Health
September 2007. Report on the findings of the expert workshop convened by SHAAP (Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems) to consider action that government can take on alcohol pricing to reduce the current levels of alcohol-related harm.
Alcohol Concern’s new report: The Price is Right: protecting communities through action on alcohol sales
This new report investigates the relationship between the price of alcohol, consumption levels and alcohol-related harms and calls for a mandatory code of practice to be introduced to regulate the retail drinks industry.
Briefing Paper by the IAS on Use of Alcohol as a Loss-leader.
By Russell Bennetts. Economic Research Officer. Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS)
Published in June 2008
Useful Links
SHAAP Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
SHAAP was set up in November 2006 by the Scottish Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties through their intercollegiate group on alcohol. SHAAP is an independent medical advocacy organisation working to reduce the negative impact of alcohol on t...
News
UK - Minimum alcohol price 'could halve hospital admissions for drinking'
Prof Gilmore, the president of the Royal College of Physicians, said the move could reduce the numbers admitted for alcohol problems by around 100,000.
UK - Alcohol price controls would save lives, MPs told
Government opposition to a minimum pricing regime for alcohol comes under renewed pressure with calls for a 50p rate a unit aimed at saving 3,400 lives a year.