Alcohol Policy UK

Jobs: 3 alcohol health promotion posts in Camden -18th of June deadline

Three alcohol Health Promotion Speciailists are to be recruited in the London Borough of Camden to deliver improvements in health and the reduction of inequalities relating to alcohol misuse. The posts wil lead on developing prevention and intervention campaigns, help co-ordinate education and support programmes and work with council colleagues and the alcohol industry to promote sensible drinking.

There are to be three specific areas for each of the jobs:

1) Alcohol and young adults
2) Adults and the workplace
3) Alcohol and children 

For further details please see the NHS site here

The deadlinr for applications is 18^th June 2008

Successful applicants selected for interview will be notified on Monday 23^rd June 2008

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Interview Date: 26^th June 2008

Alcohol number 1 threat to employee wellbeing?

A study by Norwich Union Healthcare has found that 77% of employers consider alcohol to be the number one threat to employee wellbeing and that it plays a large role in sickness absence. However only 9% of employees agreed that alcohol was the main threat, although 32% said they had been at work with a hangover and 15% said they had been drunk at work.

This may prompt more organisations including councils to introduce alcohol workplace policies that aim to ensure support and information is available to staff.  The Local Alcohol Strategy Implementation Toolkit encourages local partnerships to increase access to alcohol information at local levels.

Dr Douglas Wright of Norwich Union Healthcare, said

It seems that alcohol and the workplace often do go hand in hand. Sadly, alcohol use is associated with a number of medical conditions which can cause significant morbidity and therefore affect performance and attendance at work, costing UK plc. It's essential that companies have a robust Drug and Alcohol Policy and Procedure to tackle and, where possible, prevent any problems developing. This should include provision for support and, potentially, referral to appropriate facilities.

For an overview see the Institute of Alcohol Studies' factsheet Alcohol in the Workplace

Workplace alcohol policies need a boost: new survey

A new survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) exposes employers for failing to support employees with substance dependency problems. Just 38 per cent pay enough attention to the problem by co-ordinating rehabilitation support to help individuals with drug or alcohol problems return to work. The findings also show that four out of ten employers believe alcohol misuse is a significant cause of employee absence and lost productivity. One third says that drug misuse has a similarly negative effect in the workplace.

Despite the findings Ben Willmott, employee relations adviser for the CIPD and report author, said that little progress has been made in the last six years:

"Since 2001 the number of organsiations with drug and alcohol policies has remained around the same (58 per cent) and where organisations do have policies they are doing very little to actively promote them. Simply adding a policy to a rarely used staff handbook is unlikely to ensure the issue is seen as an ongoing priority."

In further evidence that prevention is better than cure, almost a third admitted to dismissing employees in the last two years due to alcohol problems because the problems had got out of hand. Willmott advises bosses to train managers in dealing with the issues. Currently only a third do so. The Health and Safety Executive currently estimates that up to 14 million working days are lost each year to alcohol related problems at an estimated cost of £2 billion each year. HRzone.co.uk

Download the report Managing drug and alcohol misuse at work

Workplace drinking culture research

A restrictive drinking culture at work curbs an individual's overall alcohol intake, including outside of work, suggests US research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The researchers base their findings on a detailed analysis of workplace attitudes towards drinking and drinking behaviours in over 5,000 employees in 16 different organisations, representing a range of different sectors.

The employees were quizzed about how often they drank alcohol, and when and where they did so. And they were asked to reveal their attitudes to social drinking, including whether they thought alcohol boosted workplace morale, was good for business, alleviated boredom, improved their health, was harmful, or set a bad example. Their responses were tied in with those of their supervisors and managers who were also quizzed about the drinking culture in their respective divisions.

Overall, women employees who often attended religious services, and those who cohabited were less likely to drink.  Younger workers and smokers were more likely to do so.

Around one in five (19%) workers was classified as a heavy drinker outside of work (4 or more drinks in one day in men and more than three in women). A further 8% were classified as frequent drinkers (some alcohol on five or more days of the week) outside of work, and 11% were classified as drinking at work.

But rates of heavy, frequent, and workplace drinking were significantly lower in organisations that discouraged social drinking than in those that most tolerated it. After taking account of other influential factors, workers in organisations that most discouraged social drinking were 45% less likely to be heavy drinkers than those in workplaces with the most relaxed attitudes to drinking. They were also 54% less likely to be frequent drinkers and 69% less likely to drink during the working day.

The authors conclude that the workplace drinking culture is crucial for changing drinking patterns and preventing alcohol problems, and should be included in public health initiatives.   Medical News Today

Barrientos-Gutierrez, T ae al (2007)Drinking social norms and drinking behaviours: a multilevel analysis of 137 workgroups in 16 worksites Online First Occup Environ Med 0: oem.2006.031765v1.  Abstract

Alcohol in the news 8.2.07

• Britain's leading abortion provider carried out the highest number of abortions in a single month in January. Marie Stopes International (MSI) said Christmas drinking, leading to unprotected sex, could be to blame for the highest figure recorded in its 32-year history. A total of 5,992 abortions were carried out at the charity's nine UK clinics in January - a rise of 13 per cent on the 5,304 figure for January 2005. In total, 61,983 abortions were performed at Marie Stopes clinics in the UK in 2006.

Liz Davies, MSI director of UK operations, said: "It's too soon to say whether the figures we have recorded will be reflected across the country in official national statistics to be published later this year. It does seem, however, that we may be seeing the consequences of the festive season, when partying excess and alcohol consumption combine to increase libido and lower inhibition, with the inevitable consequences of unprotected sex resulting in unplanned pregnancies."  This is London

• Reducing harm from binge-drinking should be done for the UK’s health and not for economic reasons, it has been argued. Speaking at the Promoting Responsible Drinking conference in London, Ben Baumberg of the Institute of Alcohol Studies claimed that the economic burden of alcohol harm has been over-stated. He pointed to figures which suggested that £2bn would be saved if alcohol harm is reduced. But Baumberg argued that this cost would stay with the health service and go towards treating people for other diseases. “The difference reducing alcohol harm could make to the economy is really very small,” he told delegates. “This is not the reason to reduce alcohol harm, the harm itself is the reason to reduce it.” The Publican  Hear more from Ben Baumberg in the Alcohol Policy UK podcast epsisode 8; see Ben's report Alcohol in Europe

• Professor Ian Gilmore, the president of the Royal College of Physicians, has called for an increase in tax on alcohol to protect public health. Higher taxes were particularly needed on strong cider, other high strength drinks and booze aimed at young people such as alcopops, he said, adding that VAT on cider with an alcohol content of up to 7.5 per cent was too low. He also warned that the Government's failure to take public health into account when introducing 24-hour drinking would lead to an increase in alcohol-related illness.  Telegraph

• Police officers in Suffolk will face random drug and alcohol testing within the next few weeks it has emerged.The force has been working to introduce a substance misuse testing programme for the past year and is now in the final stages of agreeing who will administer the scheme. Home Office guidelines indicated that forces nationwide had to have a strategy for substance testing in place by January 1 and testing should begin soon after.

Superintendent John Everett, head of professional standards for Suffolk police, said: “We will be testing probationers (new officers), and those in what are designated as safety critical posts, things like response drivers, firearms officers and search officers. They can be tested for controlled drugs and those in safety critical posts can also be tested for alcohol on a random basis.”  Evening Star 24

• A major North Sea operator has sparked a storm of protest by introducing the first "zero tolerance" policy on alcohol for offshore workers in British waters.  Until now, an industry-wide alcohol curb was imposed - which barred workers from travelling offshore while over the legal limit for drink driving.  But employees at Canadian-based Nexen Petroleum UK have been warned they face a ban if they are found to have any trace of non-naturally occurring alcohol in their system during routine checks at the heliport.  Scotsman

Alcohol in the news 15/11/06

• Youngsters at a Preston primary school are learning about the dangers of alcohol after helping Lancashire scoop a national award.  Pupils at Lea Community Primary put their thinking caps on to help create a website about alcohol awareness for children their own age.  And the Lookout Alcohol website won second place at a prestigious national awards ceremony.  The interactive site has been produced by Lancashire County Council's Alcohol Project alongside the School and Community Partnership team and incorporates alcohol education, downloadable lesson plans for teachers, an information section for parents, and contacts for local services.  Preston Today  More info from Safer Lancashire.  Info about Lancashire's Young Person's Alcohol Project in this previous post.
  

• Britain’s top doctor has said that the off-trade is “fuelling” the country’s alcohol problems.  Professor Ian Gilmore president of the Royal College of Physicians, said alcohol was cheaper than ever before thanks to supermarket booze “loss-leaders” and vodka which “costs pennies when you take away the tax”.  Prof Gilmore told BBC Radio the UK was sitting on a “time bomb” of cirrhosis.  He said: ”Drink has never been cheaper in real terms in living memory especially in the off-trade.”  Drink has never been cheaper in real terms in living memory especially in the off-trade  Professor Ian Gilmore president of the Royal College of Physicians.  Prof Gilmore said supermarket would be selling crates of beer as loss-leaders over Christmas and added: “That is fuelling the problems we’ve got.”  Morning Advertiser

• Advertising campaigns which try to encourage people to drink less alcohol are a waste of public money, according to a leading expert.  Professor Martin Plant says politicians are picking out the least effective measures for cutting binge drinking and avoiding sensitive issues such as tackling the price and availability of alcohol.  Speaking ahead of a major international conference on young people and alcohol abuse, the director of the Alcohol & Health Research Trust at the University of the West of England in Bristol told the Sunday Herald there was no evidence that advertising initiatives worked. “Mass media campaigns and the kind of stuff we are getting at the moment are a complete waste of public money,” he said. “These campaigns do not discourage heavy drinking.  “They [the government] are ignoring the advice that has been given to them for several decades ... to control the price and availability of alcohol.” But Plant warned that any strategy will have little impact unless it tackles issues such as restricting the numbers of licensed premises.   The Young People and Alcohol conference, organised by the University of the West of England, takes place this Friday.   Sunday Herald

• According to the report  "Sponsorship in the Drinks Industry", sponsorship as a marketing tool has changed dramatically in recent years as companies have realized that associations with prominent events could lend visibility and credibility to their respective brands.  It plays a major role in today's world as we can see the brand logos on the overalls of the driver in a car racing championship, a football or a cricket match etc. Sponsorship's add to a company's brand value and are complementary and useful to the marketing mix. The report also discusses the corporate social responsibility issues which have intensified in the recent years. It also includes the case studies of the current drinks sponsorships undertaken by the major spirits, beer and wine brands like Diageo, Foster's Group, SABMiller, Remy Cointreau, Brown-Forman etc.  Presszoom.com

• The Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) has published the findings of a major Behaviour & Attitudes opinion poll of public attitudes towards the problems of alcohol misuse. The poll examines the public’s views on who is to blame for the problem of alcohol misuse and on what they think should be done about the problem.  Barkeeper.

• A coalition of councils, probation boards and penal reformers has formed to lobby the Government to let local authorities play a greater part in tackling the UK's chronic problem of criminal reoffending and in rescuing its overloaded prison system.  The Coalition of Social and Criminal Justice, which has members including the Local Government Association (LGA), the Probation Boards' Association and the Prince's Trust, published a report this month that highlights the extent of the reoffending problem.  The coalition claims that local government involvement is key to managing the successful transition of prisoners to normal civilian life. It argues that the Government's target of reducing the reoffending rate by 10 per cent by 2010 can only be achieved with the involvement of institutions at local level.  In particular, these include local councils, which have a range of expertise in managing critical factors such as housing, education, employment, drug and alcohol treatment and family support.  The Lawyer  The report: Neighbourhood by neighbourhood: local action to reduce re-offending

• The ‘booze and drugs’ culture in Britain is having an increasingly harmful effect on businesses and the workplace, a new report has claimed.  Around 17 million working days are lost in the UK each year through alcohol-related sickness, according to the 'Guidance on alcohol and drug misuse in the workplace' report by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine in London. The report also found that 35% of people of working age had used an illicit drug.  Startups  More details here

News for 3/10/06

• The competitive drinking culture of the City is driving more and more bankers, traders and brokers to addiction.  Timesonline

• Drinking does not appear to be associated with the overall incidence of prostate cancer, according to findings published in the International Journal of Cancer. However, men who drink alcohol may have a lower risk of having an aggressive prostate cancer and dying from this cancer.  Reuters

• Visiting students are being reminded to wise up to the "Bath rules" to enjoy a trouble-free night out in the city.  With just weeks to go to the start of the university term, police in Bath are urging students to learn the dos and don'ts or face being fined for their actions.  Police believe that many students studying in Bath are probably unaware that the Three Strikes scheme is in operation which could potentially see them being banned from every pub in the area if they step out of line.  Avon and Somerset Constabulary

• A 'culture of intoxication' has taken hold across the UK, Lancashire university researchers have warned. Members of Lancaster University's criminology team found people under the age of 25 are going to pubs and clubs fully intending to end up very drunk.  A survey of 351 drinkers found most had drunk far more than the recommended daily limit – and were officially binge drinkers.  The study also found little gap between men and women when it comes to heavy drinking.  When interviewed, the women had drunk an average of 5.7 units of alcohol and the men 9.6 units – enough to classify them as 'binge-drinkers' according to the UK definition of six units for women and eight for men.  Criminologist Dr Fiona Measham, who headed the research team, said: "There's a new culture of intoxication in relation to alcohol and illegal drugs in this country.  "People are going out to get drunk and it's this determined drunkenness which is now the norm.  What they drink – shots, alcopops and cocktails – has changed so you can drink quicker and faster." Preston Today.  Research abstract here.

News for 3/9/06

• The number of new pubs, clubs, bars and takeaways in Wakefield could be limited in a move to improve safety at night.  The proposals target crime, disorder and public nuisance.  Wakefield Council has drawn up the strategy to meet its objectives under the Licensing Act 2003 and has asked everyone involved for their views.  The Cumulative Impact Policy proposes additional controls on licensing applications for new licensed premises in an area of the city centre bordered by Marsh Way, Kirkgate, Ings Road, Back Lane, Cliff Parade and Rishworth Street.  The strategy states that there will be a presumption that applications for new drinking venues in the area will be turned down – but this can be challenged.  Olivia Rowley, the council's cabinet member for community safety and cohesion, said: "We want to reduce the dominance of pubs, bars and nightclubs in the city centre and provide a wider range of entertainment in the area.  The future expansion of the night-time economy should be consistent with the ambitions of the council and its partners for regeneration and should actively promote a city centre that is a safe and pleasant place to be for everyone." Yorkshire Post  Current Wakefild licensing policy  Proposed Cumulative Impact Policy

• London's professional classes are now drinking so much that Alcoholics Anonymous has to hold 22 meetings a week across the City and Canary Wharf. Increased problem drinking by bankers, lawyers and accountants has been blamed on the pressures of the boom in mergers and acquisitions.  Merger and acquisition dealings around the world have reached £1.26bn so far this year, which is believed to be the highest figure on record for any equivalent period. Dr Mike McPhillips, a psychiatrist specialising in addiction, told the Financial Times that the Priory hospital in London now sees 'a large number of clients in the City and we are seeing younger people with this problem'. He added: 'The City has a culture that encourages excessive use of alcohol. The evidence suggests that the more money about, the more alcohol about.'  Observer

• Some of the UK's top corporate law firms are fostering "an undertone of homophobia", according to a report by the Law Society.  Big City law firms are still encouraging a culture of heavy drinking and visits to strip bars, which could drive away gay men and discourage women from joining them, research by the Law Society found.  The "constant trips to Spearmint Rhino, rugby matches and drinking sessions" meant many were afraid to come out as they thought it would hinder their career. Personel Today, Law Society report Career Exepriences of Gay and Lesbian Solicitors

Links for 9/6/06

• A clampdown on excessive drinking is at the heart of the biggest ever campaign to be launched by Wiltshire police force today.  "Think twice B4 getting trashed" is the message of the Operation XS campaign and each month for 7 months it will centre on a different aspect of excessive drinking including violent crime, drink driving, the effect on health, drink spiking, binge drinking, anti-social behaviour and the effect of alcohol-related crime on the emergency services.  This is Wiltshire

• A survey of British men has found 96 percent experience work-related stress, and 37 percent use alcohol as a way to put work behind them. Monsters & Critics

• Police in Bolton are warning troublemakers that they could face football banning orders for violence and disorder in the town during the World Cup. The orders are usually reserved for hooligans who wreak havoc in and around football grounds but police say drunken yobs spilling from the town's pubs after crunch games will be targeted.  This is Lancashire

• Meanwhile in Macclesfield everyone convicted of a drink-related offence in the last six months has been sent a personal letter warning that any problems they cause will be punished with a pub ban. Maccelsfield Express

• The number of premises selling alcohol in Northern Ireland should not be increased, the Government was told last night - by alcohol sellers. The Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade in Northern Ireland urged the Government not to ignore its own review. The Department of Social Development's consultation on changes to current liquor licensing legislation showed that 98 per cent of respondents were opposed to the abolition of the liquor licence surrender principle. Currently, a new liquor licence cannot be issued by the courts without an existing licence having first been surrendered.  Belfast Telegraph

• Alcohol is fuelling a vicious circle of assaults and retribution that has led to an increase in knife casualties over the past two years. Ninewells Hospital accident and emergency specialist Neil Nichol said staff were now dealing with stabbings and slashings on an almost daily basis.  Evening Telegraph

• Northern Ireland: the prevalence of foetal alcohol syndrome and other complications resulting from alcohol consumption during pregnancy is not recorded and not known.  House of Commons Hansard

• Numbers of drunkenness offences in England from House of Commons Hansard

• Parliamentary question on AHRSE.  House of Commons Hansard
  

  Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the scheme to establish alcohol health workers in accident and emergency departments, general practitioner surgeries and some criminal justice settings announced in November 2005 will begin.

  Caroline Flint: This scheme is an aspect of a series of trailblazer pilot sites to be implemented in 24 dedicated sites. We are in discussion with strategic health authorities as to how they can be delivered and when they will begin.

Links for 31/5/06

• One in six employees in Britain has been under the influence of alcohol at work in the last six months, a study into ‘Alcohol in the workplace’ by insurer Royal & SunAlliance (R&SA) has revealed. R&SA
• Alcohol and suicide: over 90% of young men who committed suicide in one Irish region had alcohol in their system, figures have shown. Furthermore, according to GPs, 20% of their patients who have died as a result of suicide, had a history of alcohol abuse. Irish Health and Fine Gael
• Sports stars support World Cup drink-driving campaign in Essex. East Anglian Daily Times
• Drink-fuelled trouble appears to have fallen in Leeds in the six months since new licensing laws were brought in, according to Leeds City Licensing Association.  Leeds Today
• The new licensing laws seem to have brought a reduction in alcohol-related trouble in Birmingham city centre too.  BBC News
• General review of the impact of the new licensing laws: BBC News
• Middle-aged men at risk of developing heart disease will be the target of a new £2 million initiative aimed at tackling Edinburgh's growing health divide.  Those at risk of developing heart problems will be given help to improve their health by reducing their alcohol intake, stopping smoking or losing weight.  Scotsman