Routine screening in primary care for alcohol misuse, reduced opening hours of licensed premises, higher taxes on alcohol, a lowering of the drink driving limit, random roadside breath testing, and tobacco style health warnings on bottles are all urged in a new report from the BMA’s board of science.

The board’s evidence based recommendations for change aim to tackle the burden of alcohol misuse in the United Kingdom and are targeted at policy makers.

“The levels of alcohol related disorder, crime, morbidity, and premature mortality in the UK are unacceptably high,” said Charles George, the board’s chairman. “It is essential that the UK governments implement alcohol control policies that are evidence …