Only one in six Scots feel comfortable talking about relationship with alcohol, survey finds

Only one in six (17%) adults in Scotland feel comfortable talking about their relationship with alcohol, according to new research.

A poll carried out by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) of 2,000 UK adults shows it is one of the least talked-about topics, less than money (32%) or sex (19%).

The survey to mark Cancer Prevention Action Week found many people still do not understand the health risks of drinking alcohol.

Across the UK, one in four adults say alcohol has no health risks. In Scotland, this dropped to one in six.

Meanwhile, only one in 14 UK adults mentioned cancer as a risk when asked about alcohol.

Laura Mahon, deputy chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Every day in Scotland three people are diagnosed with an alcohol-related cancer, yet the alcohol industry continues to keep the public in the dark about the health risks of their products by choosing not to provide us with the clear information we need to make informed choices.

“The Scottish Government must empower consumers in Scotland by introducing mandatory health warning labels on alcohol products. This should form part of a refreshed and robust alcohol strategy focused on strong preventative measures to reduce alcohol harm.”

Since Scotland introduced Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) in 2018, alcohol deaths have dropped by 13.4%, and overall drinking fell by 3%.

But the Covid pandemic caused a rise in risky drinking and more alcohol-related deaths.

Minimum unit pricing was introduced in Scotland in 2018 iStock

World Cancer Research Fund CEO Rachael Gormley said: “Alcohol is pervasive in our lives, from celebrations to after-work drinks and social gatherings. But do we truly understand the risks involved?

“Our findings show that most people are unaware that any amount of alcohol elevates the risk of seven types of cancer.

“It’s essential that we engage in more discussions about alcohol and cancer, empowering individuals to make informed health choices.”

With Scottish elections coming up, WCRF urges politicians to build on the success of MUP. They want a new National Alcohol Strategy that focuses on prevention and includes a fresh Cancer Action Plan.

World Cancer Research Fund executive director of research and policy, Dr Panagiota Mitrou, said: “While a coordinated approach across the UK would undeniably be most effective in tackling alcohol harm across the country, we urge the next Scottish government to make full use of their devolved powers which will allow them to make progress in key areas such as mandatory health warning labels and marketing restrictions.

“We also urge the UK government to work with the devolved administrations to take bold and collective action to reduce consumption.

“Crucially, the policies set out in a revised alcohol strategy must be developed in conjunction with a new plan for cancer, given that the Scottish government’s current Cancer Action Plan expires in 2026.

“Ultimately, both renewed strategies must place prevention at their core.”

Breast cancer survivor Nikki Bednall said: “I always thought drinking a few times a week was fine. I never knew it could raise my cancer risk.

“If I’d known earlier, I might have made different choices. Though hindsight is easy, my perspective has changed with the knowledge that came after my diagnosis.

“For example, I now drink very little alcohol to stack the odds in my favour as much as possible. Now, my motto is: ‘Look after your body like you have nowhere else to live because the reality is you don’t.”

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government is working to reduce alcohol-related harm and deaths. Our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy and the decision to uprate the unit price to 65 pence per unit is a key part of our approach to tackling alcohol harm.

“We want every person experiencing harm from alcohol use to be able access the support they need. That is why we have allocated £112m to local Alcohol and Drug Partnerships for treatment and support services.

“The forthcoming UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment are anticipated to further support the improvement of alcohol treatment in Scotland. In addition, the recently published Population Health Framework sets out a 10-year plan for population health, including addressing the harms caused by alcohol.”