Alcohol is killing 22 people in Scotland every week, according to a devastating NHS report.
The death rate north of the border is 54% higher than in England and Wales, with those in deprived areas much more likely to suffer from drink-related harm.
The NHS Health Scotland study also reveals that enough alcohol is bought in the country to enable every Scot to consume more than recommended levels.
Lucie Giles, the lead author of the alcohol monitoring report, said: “It is worrying that as a nation we buy enough alcohol for every person in Scotland to exceed the weekly drinking guideline substantially.
“This has harmful consequences for individuals, their family and friends as well as wider society and the economy.
“The harm that alcohol causes to our health is not distributed equally – the harmful effects are felt most by those living in the most disadvantaged areas in Scotland.”
Those living in the most deprived parts of Scotland are six times more likely to suffer an alcohol-related death than those in the best-off areas, the study found.
It calls for prices to be monitored with alcohol becoming more affordable as disposable income rises.
In 2015, 1,150 people died in Scotland because of an alcohol-related cause – an average of 22 a week.
The Scottish Government is trying to introduce minimum alcohol pricing of 50p a unit.
It is subject to a legal challenge by the Scotch Whisky Association, which is due to go before Supreme Court judges in the summer.
Public health minister Aileen Campbell said the report shows that although there has been progress in tackling alcohol misuse “we need to do more”.
“Over the last few years, more than half of alcohol sold in supermarkets and off-licences was sold at less than 50p per unit, and enough alcohol was sold in the off-trade alone to exceed the weekly drinking guideline by a considerable amount,” she said.
“That is why we need minimum unit pricing, which will largely impact on the off-trade and will increase the price of the cheap, high strength alcohol.”
