The number of people in Scotland whose death was caused by alcohol has risen again to the highest level in 14 years.
The latest figures from National Records of Scotland (NRS) show 1,276 people died from conditions caused by alcohol in 2022.
This was 31 (2%) more than the previous year, which was the highest number since 2008.
Male deaths - which were unchanged at 836 - again accounted for about two-thirds of alcohol-specific deaths.
Female deaths increased by 31 to 440.
Daniel Burns, head of vital events statistics at NRS, told the BBC: "Looking at the long-term trend, the number of deaths from alcohol-specific causes fell between 2006 and 2012 but has risen since and is now about the same as 2010 levels.
Average age
"In 2022, the average age at death for females from an alcohol-specific cause was 58.7 years and for males it was 60 years."
The rate of mortality from alcohol-specific causes was 22.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 2022, up from 22.3 the previous year.
The alcohol death rate was 4.3 times higher in Scotland's most-deprived areas than it was in the least deprived, though NRS said the "equality gap" has narrowed.
Alcohol-specific deaths were also higher than drug deaths in 2022, after figures released last week showed the number of drug deaths in Scotland had gone down for the first time in five years.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said more work is required to reduce alcohol-related harm.
"Every life lost is a tragedy and my sympathy goes to all those affected by the loss of a loved one through alcohol," she said.
Continue to work closely
"We will continue to work closely with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and the third sector to address this public health priority, backed by substantial investment."
Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol, initially set at 50p, in May 2018.
But Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Sandesh Gulhane said MUP was "simply not working", adding: "It is increasingly proving to be a blunt instrument to tackle a complex problem."
Scottish Labour said the effect on the country's most-deprived communities was "a national scandal".
Public health spokesperson Carol Mochan said: "The SNP's failure on public health is costing lives and devastating the poorest communities.
Plan needed
"We urgently need a comprehensive plan to support treatment services and ensure those struggling with alcohol can get the help they need."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton accused ministers of cutting funding to drug and alcohol partnerships.
"The Scottish Government have been asleep at the wheel," he said.
Here is what else is happening in politics today:
Scottish Parliament
No scheduled business – Parliament in recess
UK Parliament
No scheduled business – Parliament in recess
Aberdeenshire Council
Today’s business includes:
Aberdeen City Council
Today’s business includes:
- Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee