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Alcohol Statistics Scotland 2009 [PDF 2.9 MB]

This biennial publication presents the latest available information from a range of national data sources relating to alcohol.  These include routine data sources and surveys.

The format of a number of the tables presented in this publication has been revised from previous editions. In addition certain figures (commonly small numbers, for small areas or populations) are not shown. These changes are a result of ‘statistical disclosure control’ (SDC) which aims to prevent the release of information that can lead to the identification of individuals. Further information on the SDC methods applied is available on request.

This year there are four main sections:

Chapter 2 - The Alcohol Market PDF [550 KB]
A variety of factors can influence the purchase and consumption of alcohol, and the alcohol market is a key focus of the Scottish Government's strategic approach to tackling alcohol misuse.  This section reports on key aspects of the alcohol market including volume sold, cost, licensing and on-and off sales.

Previously much of the data relating to the alcohol market in Scotland was only available at UK level.  However, in June 2008 alcohol market sales data specifically for Scotland (rather than the whole of the United Kingdom) was published by Nielsen.  This includes a range of data on alcohol sales by volume, type of drink, off-trade or on-trade, per capita, retail sales value and the price of alcohol.

Chapter 3 - Alcohol Consumption PDF [645 KB]
This section focuses on the way in which we consume alcohol, and our attitudes towards it.  It includes information on level of consumption and consumption patterns in Scotland by gender and age, in adults and children.  In June 2008 revised consumption estimates for the 2003 Scottish Health Survey were published.  These were based on the 2003 Scottish Health Survey results but have been updated due to concerns that consumption was being under-estimated due to changes in the strength of drinks.  The method for converting reported volumes of alcohol drunk into units consumed was updated and applied to the previously reported survey data resulting in the revised consumption estimates.

The Alcohol Consumption chapter also includes, for the first time, information on knowledge of recommended limits, behaviours and perceptions.  This is taken from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey which published results from a new module regarding attitudes to alcohol in Scotland in August 2008.

Chapter 4 - Alcohol and Health Harm PDF [1.1 MB]
This includes information detailing the scale and type of the health impact of excessive alcohol consumption in Scotland. It includes data on alcohol-related hospital discharges (from SMR01) and alcohol related psychiatric discharges (from SMR04).  These are presented by age, gender, deprivation and Health Board area.  It also reports on estimated numbers of GP contacts for alcohol misuse, alcohol-related accident and emergency attendances, and alcohol related deaths in Scotland.

Chapter 5 - Alcohol and Social Harm PDF [747 KB]
This section includes information from a range of sources including routinely collected national data and survey data to build up a picture of the social impact of alcohol in Scotland.  This includes the public perception of alcohol as a problem in Scottish society and offences related to alcohol such as drunkenness.  It also includes detailed information relating to road traffic accidents and breath testing, and data on alcohol use by the prison population.

For further information contact Link opens in new windowsubstancemisuse@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk