Alcohol costs three times as much in pubs
Alcohol costs nearly three times as much in pubs as in shops, where two thirds of alcohol is now sold.
That's according to a survey from health agency NHS Health Scotland, which urges action on cheap alcohol in the off-trade.
The survey, based on data from Nielsen and CGA Strategy, found the average price of alcohol in the on-trade in England and Wales was £1.26 in 2009, compared to 43p in the off-trade. For Scotland the figures were £1.31 and 43p.
The data also highlights the drift from the on-trade to home drinking.
The average person in England and Wales bought 3.3 litres of pure alcohol per year in the on-trade in 2009, down from 3.5 litres in 2008. It compares to 6.6 litres in the off-trade (up from 6.5).
The findings show Scots buy 24% more alcohol per person on average than the rest of Britain.
This equates to four litres of pure alcohol per person in the on-trade in 2009, down from 4.2, and 8.3 litres in the off-trade, (up from 8.3).
A second report from NHS Health Scotland gives more details about how cheap off-trade alcohol is in Scotland.
It found 16% was sold at less than 30p per unit, 51% below 40p and 77% under 50p.
But some types of drink can be sold cheaper than others, with 59% of vodka sold at less than 35p per unit, while 26% of cider was sold at less than 20p per unit.
Dr Laurence Gruer, director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland, said: "We know there are strong links between lower price and increased consumption - and between increased consumption and more alcohol-related problems of all sorts. In recent years, alcohol from off-sales has become relatively cheaper, encouraging many more people to drink harmful amounts.
"For example, at 20p per unit, just £4.40 will buy enough cider to exceed the maximum recommended weekly amount for a man or £3.00 for a woman.
"These findings underline the need for action on cheap off-sales alcohol in Scotland.
"It's by no means the only action needed, but the research shows clearly that nothing else is as effective as raising the price of alcohol."
