iStockThe number of alcohol-related deaths in Scotland has reached its highest levels in 15 years, new official figures show.
Data from the office for National Statistics, released on Wednesday, found that there were 1,277 deaths from conditions caused by alcohol recorded in 2023.
The new data shows an increase in recorded deaths compared to 1,276 recorded the previous year.
In 2023, there were 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, the highest number on record.
Scotland continued to have one of the highest rates of alcohol deaths in the UK with 22.6 per 100,000 people.
Northern Ireland was second highest with 18.5 per 100,000.
The number recorded in 2023 was 4.2% higher than in 2022 and 38.4% higher than in 2019, the last pre-coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic year.
The rise was 37% among women from 2019, and 39.1% among men.
Between 2012 and 2019, rates of alcohol-specific deaths in the UK had remained stable, with no statistically significant changes in the age-standardised rate.
Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, chair of SHAAP said the statistics show the “devastating harm” alcohol causes across the UK.
He added that every single life lost is “a preventable tragedy” and said it’s more urgent than ever that governments take the action needed to tackle this “public health emergency”.
Dr MacGilchrist said while Scotland has introduced policies such as minimum unit pricing, more needs to be done.
“We also need a range of preventative measures which tackle the marketing , price and availability of alcohol on a population level,” he said.
“The north east of England now has a higher rate of deaths than Scotland indicating that MUP has mitigated alcohol harms. However, we need the Scottish Government to introduce an automatic uprating mechanism for MUP to ensure it remains effective.”
Dr MacGilchrist continued by saying there needs to be an investment in treatment services to support those in need.
“Too many people are still slipping through the cracks, unable to access vital support,” he added.
“Now is the time for governments across the UK to act to save lives and be bold in taking on the interests of a health harming industry that will do everything in its power to downplay the destructive impact alcohol can have on people’s lives and resist change.”
Laura Mahon, deputy chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said the latest figures demonstrated that Scotland and 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,” she said.
Ms Mahon added that the Covid pandemic “exacerbated drinking patterns” and 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.”
She continued: “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.”
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.”
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
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