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Understanding the Development of Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol in Scotland: A Qualitative Study of the Policy Process

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  • Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi
  • Shona Hilton
  • Chris Bonell
  • Lyndal Bond

Abstract

Background: Minimum unit pricing of alcohol is a novel public health policy with the potential to improve population health and reduce health inequalities. Theories of the policy process may help to understand the development of policy innovation and in turn identify lessons for future public health research and practice. This study aims to explain minimum unit pricing’s development by taking a ‘multiple-lenses’ approach to understanding the policy process. In particular, we apply three perspectives of the policy process (Kingdon’s multiple streams, Punctuated-Equilibrium Theory, Multi-Level Governance) to understand how and why minimum unit pricing has developed in Scotland and describe implications for efforts to develop evidence-informed policymaking. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with policy actors (politicians, civil servants, academics, advocates, industry representatives) involved in the development of MUP (n = 36). Interviewees were asked about the policy process and the role of evidence in policy development. Data from two other sources (a review of policy documents and an analysis of evidence submission documents to the Scottish Parliament) were used for triangulation. Findings: The three perspectives provide complementary understandings of the policy process. Evidence has played an important role in presenting the policy issue of alcohol as a problem requiring action. Scotland-specific data and a change in the policy ‘image’ to a population-based problem contributed to making alcohol-related harms a priority for action. The limited powers of Scottish Government help explain the type of price intervention pursued while distinct aspects of the Scottish political climate favoured the pursuit of price-based interventions. Conclusions: Evidence has played a crucial but complex role in the development of an innovative policy. Utilising different political science theories helps explain different aspects of the policy process, with Multi-Level Governance particularly useful for highlighting important lessons for the future of public health policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi & Shona Hilton & Chris Bonell & Lyndal Bond, 2014. "Understanding the Development of Minimum Unit Pricing of Alcohol in Scotland: A Qualitative Study of the Policy Process," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(3), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0091185
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Smith, Katherine Elizabeth, 2007. "Health inequalities in Scotland and England: the contrasting journeys of ideas from research into policy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(7), pages 1438-1449, April.
    2. Ian Sanderson, 2009. "Intelligent Policy Making for a Complex World: Pragmatism, Evidence and Learning," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 57(4), pages 699-719, December.
    3. Stockwell, T. & Zhao, J. & Giesbrecht, N. & Macdonald, S. & Thomas, G. & Wettlaufer, A., 2012. "The raising of minimum alcohol prices in Saskatchewan, Canada: Impacts on consumption and implications for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(12), pages 103-110.
    4. Ian Sanderson, 2009. "Intelligent Policy Making for a Complex World: Pragmatism, Evidence and Learning," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 57, pages 699-719, December.
    5. Hilton, Shona & Wood, Karen & Patterson, Chris & Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal, 2014. "Implications for alcohol minimum unit pricing advocacy: What can we learn for public health from UK newsprint coverage of key claim-makers in the policy debate?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 157-164.
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    1. James Nicholls & Wulf Livingston & Andy Perkins & Beth Cairns & Rebecca Foster & Kirsten M. A. Trayner & Harry R. Sumnall & Tracey Price & Paul Cairney & Josh Dumbrell & Tessa Parkes, 2022. "Drug Consumption Rooms and Public Health Policy: Perspectives of Scottish Strategic Decision-Makers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Clarke, Brydie & Swinburn, Boyd & Sacks, Gary, 2019. "Investigating menu kilojoule labelling policy adoption from a political science perspective," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    3. Henry Yeomans, 2019. "Regulating drinking through alcohol taxation and minimum unit pricing: A historical perspective on alcohol pricing interventions," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 3-17, March.
    4. Fiona O’May & Jan Gill & Heather Black & Cheryl Rees & Jonathan Chick & Barbara McPake, 2016. "Heavy Drinkers’ Perspectives on Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol in Scotland," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(3), pages 21582440166, July.
    5. Lesch, Matthew & McCambridge, Jim, 2021. "Waiting for the wave: Political leadership, policy windows, and alcohol policy change in Ireland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    6. Alex Wright, 2019. "Local Alcohol Policy Implementation in Scotland: Understanding the Role of Accountability within Licensing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-21, May.
    7. Niamh Fitzgerald & James Nicholls & Jo Winterbottom & Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi, 2017. "Implementing a Public Health Objective for Alcohol Premises Licensing in Scotland: A Qualitative Study of Strategies, Values, and Perceptions of Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-16, February.
    8. Hawkins, Benjamin & Durrance-Bagale, Anna & Walls, Helen, 2021. "Co-regulation and alcohol industry political strategy: A case study of the Public Health England-Drinkaware Drink Free Days Campaign," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).

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