Scotland Alcohol Deaths Fall to Five-Year Low Amid Ongoing Regional Challenges

Scotland's alcohol-specific death toll has dropped by 7% in 2024 to 1,185, reaching its lowest level since 2019, according to National Records of Scotland data. This decline is credited in part to the Scottish Government's Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy, which has raised the price of cheap alcohol and is estimated to have saved hundreds of lives and prevented numerous hospital admissions. Despite these improvements, a significant social disparity persists, with individuals in the most deprived areas being 4.5 times more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than those in wealthier communities. Scottish officials and public health experts caution against complacency, emphasizing that alcohol-related harm remains a critical public health issue requiring continued targeted support and funding, including £160 million allocated this year to Alcohol and Drugs Partnerships. While some council areas like South Ayrshire saw decreases in alcohol deaths, others such as East and North Ayrshire experienced increases, highlighting regional variations. Critics from opposition parties argue that despite progress, Scotland still has among the highest alcohol death rates in Europe, especially impacting deprived communities under the current government.