Key players in the alcohol industry have been accused of misleading a Scottish Government consultation over minimum pricing laws.
A study published in the Public Library of Science’s Medicine online journal claims evidence on effective alcohol control measures was “distorted” by supermarkets, drinks companies and trade associations.
The research, carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of York, accuses the industry of using “tactics” to influence policy reform.
This looked at proposals to introduce minimum unit pricing.
The Scottish Government has passed legislation setting the minimum price per unit at 50p, although no date has been set to enforce this because of a legal challenge to the proposed law.
Dr Jim McCambridge, who led the research, said: “There is a broad consensus internationally among researchers that the most effective measures to control problems caused by alcohol are to raise the price, control availability and restrict marketing activities.
“However, our study shows that key players in the alcohol industry constructed doubt about this wealth of scientific evidence and instead chose to promote weak survey-based evidence as well as making unsubstantiated claims to their advantage.
“These tactics mean it is harder for governments to make evidence-based policy where industry is involved.
“The public interest is not served by the alcohol industry’s misinterpretation of research evidence and we must consider to what extent we should allow the health of the population to be compromised by these commercial interests.”
Wine and Spirit Trade Association chief executive Miles Beale said: “It is disappointing that this study fails to recognise the good work being delivered by the drinks trade, health community and government in partnership.
“Since the consultation we have seen a sustained downward trend in alcohol consumption in Scotland down 14% since 2004.
“We maintain that, rather than penalising the majority by pushing up prices through minimum unit pricing, much more can be achieved working with the trade to tackle the root causes of alcohol misuse.”