In countries that have set a minimum price on alcoholic beverages, the number of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations has fallen sharply.
- Setting a minimum price for alcoholic beverages, as is the case in Scotland or Wales, would reduce the number of deaths and hospitalizations linked to alcohol consumption.
- In Quebec, establishing a minimum price of 1.50 Canadian dollars would thus reduce the number of deaths by nearly 6% and the number of hospitalizations by 8.4%.
- Setting a minimum unit price of $1.75 would have even more marked effects, with an 11.5% reduction in the number of deaths and more than 16% in the number of hospitalizations.
In terms of public health, what regulatory provisions related to alcohol consumption have proven to be particularly effective?
While in France, a certain number of measures have been taken to limit alcohol consumption, such as the prohibition of certain very alcoholic drinks, supervision of places of sale and consumption or even limited advertising, certain countries or States have taken a measure which seems to be particularly fruitful: the setting of a minimum price on alcoholic beverages. This is particularly the case in Scotland, Wales and in certain provinces of Canada.
According to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Victoria in British Columbia and published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugsthis “minimum unit price” policy would lead to “a substantial and lasting reduction in the harm caused by alcohol in society”. “As we continue to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic and hear concerns about the overwhelm of our healthcare systems, this study shows that a minimum unit price for alcohol would help free valuable resources by decreasing the burden of alcohol on our health care systems”says Adam Sherk, doctor of philosophy and lead author of the study.
To reach this conclusion, the researchers used an open-access computer model called the “International Alcohol Harm and Policy Model” (InterMAHP) to estimate alcohol harm in a country or state. as well as to determine the potential impact on alcohol consumption of public policies. Their objective: to determine the potential effect of minimum unit pricing in 2014 in Quebec, a province that has not yet instituted such a policy.
They then cross-referenced this information with data on alcohol consumption per capita, data on hospitalizations and deaths, information on sales of wines, spirits and liqueurs (which are partially controlled by the government in Canada ) and beer sales.
In Quebec, the researchers estimated the number of deaths at 2,850 and the number of hospitalizations attributable to alcohol consumption at 24,694. These include deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease and injury. The main causes of alcohol-related hospitalizations are unintentional injuries, psychiatric disorders, cancer, digestive disorders and communicable diseases.
Up to 16% fewer hospitalizations
The modeling used by the researchers determined that if Quebec had previously implemented a minimum unit price policy of 1.50 Canadian dollars per standard drink (approximately 2.3 euros), 169 deaths would have been avoided, i.e. a reduction of 5.9%. The introduction of a minimum unit price of 1.75 Canadian dollars per drink (about 2.7 euros) would have prevented 327 deaths, or a reduction of 11.5%.
In addition, a minimum unit price policy of C$1.50 per drink would have reduced the number of hospitalizations by 2,063 that year (a decrease of 8.4%). A price of 1.75 Canadian dollars would have reduced hospitalizations by 4,014, or 16.3%.
“This report adds to growing evidence that minimum unit pricing policies are an effective way for governments to reduce alcohol-related hospital visits and save lives, says Adam Sherk. National and jurisdictional governments, including Quebec, should consider following the lead of countries like Scotland and implementing these policies.”
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