Life Skills Education

Posts Tagged ‘Alcohol’

Fewer children are abusing booze but deaths are rising as north-south drinks divide opens in England

Fewer schoolchildren are consuming alcohol but deaths from excessive drinking are rising steadily, according to the latest government statistics.

The figures, revealing a surge in prescriptions for medicines to treat alcoholism and a slight decrease in overall consumption, suggest that awareness of the health dangers and, possibly, the recession may be having some impact.

A cultural divide in drinking habits appears to be opening up between southern and northern England, with far less being drunk in London than elsewhere in the country.

Deaths from alcohol in England climbed to 6,769 in 2008; liver disease was the most common cause. Fatalities have risen by 24% since 2001.

If overall consumption is falling, death rates – which chiefly reflect long term physical damage – will take some time to reflect any change.

Prescriptions for medicines to treat alcoholism rose by 12% in 2009; more than 150,000 were written for the two main drugs used to treat withdrawal symptoms or induce sickness when alcohol is drunk.

Among the young, the news was encouraging. “The proportion of pupils [aged 11-15] who have never had an alcoholic drink has increased gradually in recent years,” the study by the Office of National Statistics and the NHS Information Centre said. “In 2008, 48% of pupils reported having never tried alcohol, compared with 39% in 2003.”

The number of school-age children who admitted to having drunk alcohol in the past week also fell from 26% in 2001 to 18% in 2008. Beer, followed by alcopops and wine were young teenagers’ favoured drinks. Pubs and off-licences are being used less often by underage drinkers, reflecting more vigorous enforcement of age laws by landlords and police. Youngs people increasingly say they are drinking at parties or friends’ homes. The proportion resorting to outdoor drinking in parks and streets has climbed from 21% in 1999 to 27% in 2008.

“Young people in London are much less likely to have drunk alcohol in the last week than those living in other regions,” the report notes. “In London 12% of 11- to 15-year-olds have drunk alcohol in the last week; elsewhere the proportion varies from 19% in the east Midlands and the South-east to 26% in the North-east.”

Among adults a similar geographical split emerges. In terms of exceeding daily drinking limits, the highest proportions were among men and women in Yorkshire and the North-west while the lowest were in London.

Binge drinking – defined as consuming more than double your daily unit guideline – was most frequent in northern England.

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Binge-drinking teenagers could be doing lasting harm to their memories, according to a new study.

By Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent

Gordon Brown’s refusal to ban cheap booze is biggest health failing, claims chief doctor

Gordon Brown’s refusal to clamp down on cheap alcohol is the biggest public health failing of the last decade, England’s chief medical officer has said.

By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent

Sir Liam Donaldson, who is about to retire as Whitehall’s most senior doctor, said the Government’s rejection last year of his proposal for minimum prices constituted his biggest disappointment in the role.

He spoke out in an interview ahead of his final annual report, to be published on Mar 15, in which he will say that grandparents are often the best people to instill healthy habits into a younger generation, giving advice to their grandchildren on diet, exercise and the dangers of smoking and drugs.

Last year Sir Liam, 60, said that supermarkets and shops should not be allowed to sell alcohol for less than 50 pence per unit. His recommendation would have doubled the price of many beers and placed a minimum price of £4.50 on a bottle of wine.

Gordon Brown rejected the proposal instantly, saying the “sensible majority” of moderate drinkers should not be punished for the excesses of binge drinkers. The Conservatives also ruled out the idea.

Sir Liam’s proposal had the backing of many senior doctors, including the British Medical Association.

In January the Commons health select committee criticised Mr Brown’s decision, saying: “It is time the Government listened more to the Chief Medical Officer and the President of the Royal College of Physicians and less to the drinks and retail industry.”

The medical adviser said the rejection of his proposal had been his greatest disappointment during his 12 years in post, all with Labour in power.

The majority of his most significant recommendations – including a ban on smoking in workplaces, allowing embryonic stem cell research, and changes to the way doctors are regulated – have been introduced, though some involved major battles.

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People who drink to excess may no longer be able to blame their friends for piling on the pressure, new research has revealed.

A number of adults questioned in the YouGov poll said they had put excessive drinking down to peer pressure but very few said they expected their friends to keep up with them or forced them to drink more when they did not want to.

The survey, for the Department of Health’s Alcohol Effects campaign, also found that people made up excuses or lied to justify refusing a drink, even though it was unlikely their friends would think less of them for doing so.

The poll of more than 2,000 English adults found that more than one in five (22%) people who had ended up drinking more than they planned had blamed peer pressure.

But only 2% of those surveyed admitted to piling on the pressure for friends to drink more when they did not want to and just 4% expected their friends to keep up with them when drinking.

The survey also revealed that 39% of drinkers felt the need to make up an excuse or lie to justify refusing a drink but only 1% said they would think less of those who turned down alcohol or chose to drink less than them.

Experts said the research showed that all drinkers should feel confident about admitting to friends when they have had enough.

Gillian Merron, Public Health Minister, said: “Many of us enjoy a drink – drinking sensibly isn’t a problem, but too many are regularly drinking more than the NHS advises. This means you’re at higher risk of getting cancer or having a stroke or heart attack.

“This survey should encourage us all that it is OK to be honest with our friends about when we’ve had enough.

“Protecting our long-term health should be a good enough reason for anyone.”

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Parents are underestimating their influence on children’s drinking habits, according to a Government campaign.

More than half of young people who have drunk alcohol say they are usually given it by their parents, according to a study commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

And children in households where adults drink heavily are more likely to drink themselves.

Under the Why Let Drink Decide? campaign, new cinema adverts targeted at young people will show the risks associated with alcohol.

Local authorities will be handed ”good practice guides” to help them work with other services, such as the police, to stop under-age drinking from becoming a problem in their area.

More than 2,000 youngsters are today playing in a Kickz football tournament, which will encourage those taking part to have discussions about the dangers of under-age drinking.

Parents will also be given advice on under-age drinking to allow them to talk to their teenagers about the issue, ministers said.

The new research, which questioned more than 4,000 parents, children and young people, reveals one in four (26%) of youngsters said their parent had never talked to them about alcohol.

Almost one in ten (9%) are unaware that their child has ever drunk alcohol.

Some 17% of parents said they had thought about what to do if drinking was becoming a problem for their child, but eight in ten (80%) said they would just deal with it when it happens.

Schools minister Vernon Coaker said: ”Today’s research shows that parents underestimate their influence over their child’s drinking and attitudes to alcohol, yet a quarter of young people have never spoken to their parents about the issue. That’s why through the ‘Why Let Drink Decide?’ campaign we are giving parents and young people the confidence to have open conversations about alcohol, to ultimately delay the age at which young people start drinking.

”Some young people need more help, support and fun alternatives to drinking, which is why we are launching the Kickz Cup 2010 today.”

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Check out the new government campaign to make us all more drink aware. There’s something for everyone from facts and figures to games and guidance.

Hit the logo to check it out!

More than half of young people who have drunk alcohol are usually given it by their parents, a new study shows.

By Caroline Gammell

Less than a fifth of parents – 17 per cent – said they had thought about what they would do if their child drank too much, while 80 per cent said they would “deal with it when it happens”.

One in 10 parents said did not know that their child drank, while a quarter of young people said their parents had never talked to them about alcohol.

The study of 4,000 parents and young people was commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families as part of a Government crackdown on underage drinking.

Schools minister Vernon Coaker said parents should be more open with their children as he launched the Why Let Drink Decide? campaign at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

“The research shows that parents underestimate their influence over their child’s drinking and attitudes to alcohol,” he said.

“Yet a quarter of young people have never spoken to their parents about the issue.”

The campaign includes a drive to keep young people away from alcohol by involving them in football clubs and football tournaments.

Mr Coaker defended football as a good diversion for young people, despite the recent antics of high profile footballers such as John Terry.

“Notwithstanding one or two cases, football has moved from a culture of drinking a few years ago to one where that is not the case.

“There is much more emphasis on the whole business of fitness.”

Martin Keown, former England and Arsenal player, added: “I was playing in the early 80s where if you didn’t drink you were in the minority.

“It is a very different environment now, there really has been a massive change among the players.”

Mr Coaker said there were less young people drinking now, but those who did drank more.

Of the 10,000 young people admitted to hospital each year because of alcohol, 6,000 are under the age of 15.

As part of the Why Let Drink Decide? Campaign, adverts showing the risks of drinking alcohol will be shown in cinemas nationwide.

Local authorities will be handed “good practice guides” to help them work with other services, such as the police, to stop under-age drinking from becoming a problem in their area.

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The alcohol industry is failing to comply with a voluntary agreement to place health warnings on alcoholic drinks, says the government.

Just 15% of drinks provide enough information about units and health risks, a report found.

England’s Department of Health says it will consider mandatory labelling if voluntary agreements fail.

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said progress was “very disappointing” despite efforts from some brands.

She added: “Whilst there should be no need to bring in legislation when the industry can clearly sort it out themselves, we will not hesitate to act decisively if industry does not deliver.

“I expect to see much more leadership from more of the major producers.

“We know that too many are drinking at harmful levels and producers should play their part in helping to stem this tide by ensuring we all have access to clear and consistent health information on labels.”

The Scottish Government, along with the other devolved administrations, has launched a similar consultation on alcohol labelling.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said that if compliance with the existing voluntary code did not improve, then mandatory labelling would be a strong option.

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Supermarkets are offering more discounts on alcohol despite calls to end special deals.

By Myra Butterworth, Personal Finance Correspondent

The latest statistics reveal a quarter of the all beer sold online at Tesco, Asda, Ocado and Sainsburys was on offer last month, up seven per cent on the same period a year ago. Increases were also seen on the sale of spirits and wine.

Chief medical officers are calling for minimum prices per unit of alcohol, warning lower prices are linked to greater alcohol-related health problems.

Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said: “Supermarkets pretend to champion the consumer and yet their alcohol price discounting has led to a direct rise in alcohol related health harms and costs to the NHS and police.

“When will the supermarkets realise their use of alcohol as a loss leader is ruining the health of this country and leading to more crime and disorder?”

And Dr Chris Record, a liver disease consultant based in Newcastle, said: “The problem is that alcohol prices have been falling and is now much more affordable than it was a couple of decades ago. And if you reduce the price of alcohol suddenly, consumption goes up.”

The figures from MySupermarket suggested the amount of red and white wine sold with a discount has doubled in the past year from 7 per cent to 14 per cent. Spirits sold with a discount have also increased from 5 per cent to 8 per cent.

But retailers insisted lower prices did not encourage irresponsible drinking and were about offering the best value to shoppers.

Richard Dodd, of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers are simply competing to offer customers value. They shouldn’t be criticised for doing that.

“Irresponsible drinking is not about price. It’s about culture. We already have some of the highest alcohol taxes in Europe. Banning discounts or forcing up prices won’t make a difference. Changing attitudes will and that’s what retailers are engaged in.”

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “We will continue to look at how we can tackle the problems caused by cheap alcohol.

“We will consider this within a framework which respects the rights of responsible consumers while making a real difference to the types of excessive drinking that damage individuals and families and are a cost to our society.”

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Health bosses in the North East have urged the government to introduce a minimum price for alcohol.

Thirteen directors of public health have signed an open letter to ministers condemning the sale of alcohol at “pocket money prices”.

The call coincides with a study from the region’s alcohol awareness group, Balance, which says a can of lager can be bought for just 22p.

Supermarkets say they already have checks in place and act responsibly.

Colin Shevills, director of Balance, which is funded by the Department of Health, North East NHS trusts and the region’s three police forces, said supermarket prices for alcohol were “ridiculously low”.

He said: “Alcohol is a primary instigator in violent crime, increases hospital admissions which drain vital NHS resources and encourages absenteeism and causes disability.

‘Ridiculously low’

“Supermarkets aggressively promote alcohol, which they routinely sell below cost to encourage shoppers through their doors.

“The ridiculously low prices make it clear that alcohol pricing cannot be left to supermarkets and off licences alone.”

Among those who have signed the letter are Sue Milner, director of public health for Northumberland, Nonnie Crawford, director of public health in Sunderland, Meng Khaw, director of public health for Newcastle and North Tyneside and Miriam Davidson, director of public health in Darlington.

Durham Chief Constable John Stoddart said: “While illegal drugs tend to get all the headlines, the issue of alcohol misuse presents us with serious problems right across the whole spectrum of criminality.”

Balance said alcohol-related hospital admissions across the North East were 62% higher than the national average and that the region’s police forces dealt with more than 6,000 domestic abuse cases where alcohol was a factor between 2008 and 2009.

Richard Dodd of the British Retail Consortium said: “Irresponsible drinking is a cultural issue. It’s about the way we are brought up and our attitude to alcohol.

“We have the highest alcohol taxes in Europe in the UK and that tells me there is not the direct relationship between price and irresponsible consumption.”

Last month Home Secretary Alan Johnson told the BBC he had not ruled out the possibility of using pricing measures to make alcohol less easily available, but such a move was not “a magic bullet”.

He said: “We don’t want to ensure that people… on good incomes can just carry on as normal, but responsible drinkers on low incomes are hit.”

In Scotland, the government is pushing for a minimum price for alcohol to tackle drink-related problems.

Laws requiring young people to prove their age were introduced in the country last year.

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