Minimum unit alcohol prices decreased consumption, premature death among heavy drinkers

Recent data show implementing a minimum price of £0.45 (73 cents US) per 10 ml of alcohol would reduce consumption and the number of premature deaths among harmful drinkers while minimally affecting moderate drinkers’ consumption and spending.

Researchers used the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model to determine British consumers’ responses to price changes and how different socioeconomic groups would change their drinking habits if a minimum unit price for alcohol were implemented. Nine years of survey data were analyzed to estimate price elasticities for alcohol. The study estimated consumption, spending, and health responses for moderate, hazardous, and harmful drinkers, divided into three socioeconomic groups based on occupation (labor, intermediate, managerial), over a 10-year period.

The study findings show minimum pricing would most significantly affect harmful drinkers, who account for about 5% of the British population and consume 50 units per week (35 units per week for women). A unit was defined as approximately 8 g or 10 ml of pure alcohol. Harmful drinkers’ consumption decreased by 3.7% and spending decreased by £4.01 per year. Harmful drinkers in the lowest income quintile consumed 7.6% less and spent £34.63 less annually.

Moderate drinkers were least affected by the implementation of a minimum unit price for alcohol because they frequently purchased small quantities at less than the proposed price threshold. Moderate drinkers in the lowest income quintile spent £0.04 more and consumed 3.8 fewer units of alcohol per year, while moderate drinkers in the highest income quintile spent £1.86 more and consumed less than 1 unit more per year.

Premature deaths decreased by 12.7% among the lowest socioeconomic group, individuals living in manual/labor housing.

Overall, the researchers wrote, “policy makers need to balance large reductions in consumption by harmful drinkers on a low income against the greater health gains that could be made in this group from reduced morbidity and mortality related to alcohol consumption.”

In an accompanying comment, Jenny Chalmers, MD, from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Sydney, Australia, wrote, “This study provides persuasive evidence that … targets individuals least able to protect themselves from the ill effects of harmful drinking. Of further benefit, families containing harmful drinkers stand to gain from the decreased likelihood of loss of income through the drinker’s death, injury, or illness and reduced risk of domestic violence.

Furthermore, she wrote, “Holmes and colleagues’ findings should assuage the UK government’s concerns and provide further support for proponents of minimum unit pricing in this hotly argued debate.”

For more information:

Holmes J. Lancet. 2014; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62417-4.

Chalmers J. Lancet. 2014; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60154-9.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.