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New research from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group has assessed the potential effectiveness of minimum pricing policies for tobacco that could help reduce smoking rates and improve health in Scotland.

The research, commissioned by Public Health Scotland, aimed to identify what impact a minimum price for hand-rolled and factory-made cigarettes would have on the number of people who smoke in Scotland, as well as the potential health outcomes.

SARG researchers found that increasing the price of the cheapest tobacco products through minimum pricing could lead to reductions in smoking prevalence, especially among disadvantaged groups where smoking-related harms are highest.

Modest estimates are that even a 60p minimum price would lead to 16,327 people stopping in the next ten years if implemented this year. This would contribute to 1,467 fewer hospital admissions, preventing 285 deaths, and adding an additional 6,792 years of life to the Scottish population by 2034.

The report recommends combining minimum pricing with increased tax to help recoup industry profits associated with any price rises.  It also highlights the importance of a range of other measures that could contribute to reducing smoking rates and associated harms.

Research author, Dr Duncan Gillespie, said: "Not only would a 60p minimum price for tobacco add nearly 7,000 years of life to the Scottish population by 2034, but it would also save the NHS million of pounds over the next decade by reducing hospital admissions. This is a powerful reminder that small policy changes can have a direct impact on public health.

"The largest impact is expected in Scotland's most deprived areas. This targeted benefit would complement ongoing increases in tobacco taxes by limiting the options for people to trade-down to cheaper products."

Dr Garth Reid, Consultant at PHS, said: "Every year, smoking contributes to over 8,000 deaths and nearly 90,000 hospital admissions in Scotland. It's one of the leading causes of ill health and early death that disproportionately affects those living in our most deprived communities.

"We know that tobacco price is a key factor in people starting and continuing to smoke. The findings of this research show that minimum pricing could have a real impact on reducing the number of people who smoke, in a relatively short period of time.

"Price, however, is only one part of a wider package of action that should be explored. Restricting availability of tobacco products, providing good quality and attractive smoking cessation services, as well as addressing illicit tobacco use are all important mechanisms that can help to reduce smoking in Scotland."

View the full report Model-based appraisal of the potential effects of minimum pricing for tobacco in Scotland on the Public Health Scotland website. A summary report is also available.