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Alcohol abuse may be costing Scottish taxpayers as much as £4.64 billion, according to an independent study.

The research, which looked at the impact across the NHS, police, social services, economy and family life, calculated that alcohol abuse costs the Scottish economy between £2.48 billion and £4.64 billion every year. It found that alcohol-related crime costs the Scottish economy about £720 million annually while the cost to productivity is about £866 million. The human cost in terms of suffering caused by premature deaths is estimated at £1.46 billion.

The new research reveals that previous estimates of £2.25 billion were a gross understatement. Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: 'The Scottish Government's Alcohol Bill includes a package of evidence-based measures to get to grips with this issue, including minimum pricing to combat the dirt cheap ciders, lagers and low grade spirits favoured by problem drinkers.'

The bill is supported by a broad coalition, including the UK's four chief medical officers, the British Medical Association, the Royal Colleges, Church of Scotland, Association of Chief Police Officer of Scotland and the Scotland Licensed Trade Association. 

The research is published in the month that the World Health Organisation's executive board will meet to discuss a draft global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

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