SCOTLAND recorded its highest ever off-licence sales last year, prompting concern from public health officials.

Figures show booze sales were 20% higher than in England and Wales, mainly due to more people buying cheaper alcohol in supermarkets and off-sales, particularly spirits.

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The equivalent of 41 bottles of vodka or 477 pints of beer was sold for every Scottish adult in 2015 and sales of wine reaches their highest level for 20 years.

Almost three quarters of alcohol - 74% - was sold through off-sales - the highest market share since recording began in 1994.

Glasgow Times:

Senior Public Health officials described the figures as "concerning."

The Scottish Government said the report, by NHS Health Scotland, strengthened the case for a minimum pricing policy.

More than half of the off-sales alcohol was sold at below 50p per unit, the initial level proposed for minimum unit pricing.

The average price of alcohol per unit was 52p in supermarkets, compared to £1.74 in pubs and restaurants.

Glasgow Times:

NHS Health Scotland’s evaluation of the government's alcohol strategy found that without minimum pricing – which has not yet been implemented due to a legal challenge by parts of the alcohol industry - the impact has been constrained.

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Dr Mark Robinson, Senior Public Health Information Manager at NHS Health Scotland said: "It is concerning that the recent falls in alcohol consumption have reversed and that off-trade alcohol sales have reached their highest level.

"Trends in the price of alcohol sold by supermarkets and off-licences correspond with trends in the volume of alcohol sold by retailers.

"Higher levels of alcohol consumption result in higher levels of alcohol-related harm and these present a substantial public health and economic cost to Scotland."

Glasgow Times:

Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell said: “We remain absolutely committed to introducing minimum unit pricing and this report adds to the wealth of evidence which supports this policy.

"We also welcome the fact that the European courts have returned this matter to the Scottish courts for a final decision.

“Around 22 people a week are dying in Scotland because of alcohol and despite recent reductions; deaths have increased for the last two years.

"Given the link between consumption and harm, and evidence that affordability is one of the drivers of increased consumption, addressing price is essential.

Glasgow Times:

“Prices in pubs, bars and restaurants are increasing, but prices in shops are staying the same. We know that more than half of the alcohol – and almost three-quarters of vodka – sold in supermarkets and off-licences cost under 50p per unit. It is that cheap, high-strength alcohol that is causing the most harm in Scotland.

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“We will introduce the next phase of our Alcohol Framework later this year which will build on the progress so far but addressing price must play a key part of any long-term strategy to tackle alcohol misuse.”