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UK Governments latest initiatives to reduce the alcohol consumption is a step in the right direction.
- Anthony V B Bathula, Dr Swapna Alexander (4 September 2008)
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Re: UK Governments latest initiatives to reduce the alcohol consumption is a step in the right direction.
- Raymond G Holder (5 September 2008)
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Anthony V B Bathula, Staff Grade- General Surgery Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl. LL22 7JF., Dr Swapna Alexander
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It was not surprising to read that cutting the price of alcohol in Finland in 2004 was associated with a higher mortality. Finland’s annual consumption of alcohol in 2003 was 9.4 litres per inhabitant has increased by 10% in 2004 and 12% in 2005 following the price cut (Dobson R, 2008). Ian Gilmore and Nick Sheron (2007) have outlined that an increase in the price of alcohol is one means of reducing the alcohol related harm. The other measures include controlling alcohol advertising, increasing the minimum age for buying alcohol, and restricting opportunities to buy alcohol. In the United Kingdom the Department of Health is responsible for Government health policy on alcohol misuse. According to the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit the harm manifested by alcohol consumption can be categorised into harm to the health of the consumer, loss of productivity, social harms such as problems within the family and crime, anti-social behavior, domestic violence, drink-driving and its impact on the victims (Department of Health, 2008). Many in the UK feared that with the introduction of Licensing Act 2003 in November 2005 abolishing set licensing hours in England and Wales would increase alcohol consumption. The rhetoric argued that the aim was to promote a café culture and reduce disorder after last orders when everyone emerged onto the streets at 11pm. However a Home Office report a year after its introduction, concluded that there were only small effects on the levels of alcohol consumption and overall night time levels of crime remained largely unchanged (Hough et al, 2008). In the last five years there has been an increase in the level of alcohol consumption in UK which has led to an increase in the annual cost of alcohol misuse to the NHS. To tackle this misuse the government has committed a wide range of initiatives. These include know your limits campaign, promoting safe and sensible drinking, reducing alcohol related admissions as a measure of performance for the NHS, to work closely with the alcohol industry to encourage responsible promotions and to improve the quality of information available to consumers. The NHS advice on drinking recommends that men should not drink alcohol more that 3-4 units and women 2-3 units per day regularly (Department of Health, 2008a). New calculations released by the Department of Health in July 2008 put the cost of alcohol misuse to society standing at £17.7 billion to £25.1 billion per year, with a cost to the National Health Service of £2.7 billion per year. At the same time a major consultation on England’s drinking culture has been launched. This could result in the alcohol industry’s voluntary code becoming mandatory. Under these proposals the retailers would have to offer drinks in small as well as large glasses or measures, restrict happy hours or irresponsible price based promotions, no displays by the checkout, give point of sale information on units etc allowing customers to make an informed choice, and to train the staff in shops and other venues to refuse alcohol to all the under aged and drunk. Manufacturers will need to put required warnings and advice on bottles and cans. Failing to abide by these rules would result in placing the mandatory scheme by the UK government by the end of this year (Department of Health, 2008b). Bibliography Department of Health. (2008) The cost of alcohol harm to the NHS in England: An update to the Cabinet Office (2003) study. Department of Health. London. Department of Health. (2008 a) Alcohol misuse. [Internet] Department of Health. London. Available from< http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Alcoholmisuse/index.htm> [Accessed on 2nd of September 2008]. Department of Health. (2008b) Drinking culture consultation launched. [Internet] Department of Health, London. Available from< http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_086424>[ Accessed on 2nd of September 2008]. Dobson R. (2008) Cutting price of alcohol is associated with higher mortality, study shows. BMJ ;337:a1504. Gilmore I & Sheron N. (2007) Reducing the harms of alcohol in the UK. BMJ 335:1271-1272. Hough M, Hunter G, Jacobson J, & Cossalter S. (2008) The impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on levels of crime and disorder: an evaluation [Internet].Research report 04, Home Office. London. Available from< http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/horr04b.pdf>[ Accessed on 2nd of September 2008]. Competing interests: None declared |
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Raymond G Holder, Long retired engineer Home BH9 3NF
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The rise of the alcohol problem in recent years is probably due in no small measure to the almost total invisibility of the Temperance Movement at the present time. In the years before WW2, the movement had considerable following, there was the Band of Hope, Total Abstainers Friendly Societies such as the Rechabites, and Temperance Hotels were to be found around the country. I saw an "Alcoholsfrei" hotel in Austria in the 1970s when on holiday, but such things are now rarities, if they even exist at all. I remember studying and taking a test on the subject of "Alcohol and the human body" when quite a young member of the local Rechabites Juvenile section, and although very young, the Question: "Has anyone broken the pledge?" went out at every meeting. At the very least, children should be taught the effects and dangers of alcohol at an early age. the fact that alcohol affects the more intellectual functions of the brain first of all is plainly visible, and such things as the risk of permanent liver damage should be firmly impressed on them. I have have discovered that a great grandfather on each side of my family died from liver problems before they reached any great age, and those facts must have had a bearing on the attitudes of their descendants, even though their problems had understandable causes. One was a sawyer on railway construction, a physical and thirst provoking task, while the other was a farmer out working in the fields when his 17 year old son was run over and killed by a loaded wagon when the horse suddenly bolted, and he took refuge in drink to drown his sorrows. The grim reality of the consequence of early death of the breadwinner at that time were that greatgrandmother was left with 6 children to care for. The Parish gave her half a crown a week to provide for all the children, and she had to work in the fields, and sew shirts when she could, to feed herself. The consequences today are thankfully much more cushioned, the welfare system provides, but the risks of damage are often wrongly thought to be curable by an all capable NHS, the stark realities lie hidden and are disregarded by the binge drinkers. Competing interests: None declared |
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