News for 12/9/06

• More than 190 underage teenagers were treated at South Yorkshire hospitals in one year after drinking too much booze - and some even had to have their stomachs pumped. And in severe cases youngsters were so drunk they needed to be put on a ventilator in intensive care because alcohol depresses the body's natural functions and they 'forget' to breath - putting their lives in danger. A total of 194 under 18s were rushed to A&E departments across South Yorkshire suffering from the effects of too much alcohol. Doctors say most youngsters seen by medics in Sheffield are typically between 12 and 16 and have been experimenting with their friends. Dr Judith Gilchrist, a consultant in paediatric medicine at Sheffield Children's Hospital warned that youngsters need to be more aware of the dangers of drinking, because the consequences can be serious. "Most need observation, some need fluids and checks to see if they have an underlying problem such as a head injury. "Each year one or two children have to be treated in intensive care and ventilated, but that is very severe. They don't realise how serious it can be."   Sheffield Today

• Police in Oxfordshire are getting tough on vandals as part of the Force-wide Safer Streets campaign. Vandalism currently makes up nearly 20 per cent of all crime in the County. Chief Supt. Dave McWhirter said: “Vandalism affects thousands of people in Oxfordshire every year. We are committed to tackling this crime and are putting strategies into action across the five local police areas in the county. “The ethos of this campaign is about making people feel safer where they live and work because vandalism significantly contributes to the fear of crime as well as being expensive and unsightly.” Officers are targeting persistent offenders and carrying out high-visibility patrols in vandalism hotspots. Work is also being carried out with partner organisations and licensees. Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and ASBOs are also sought against persistent offenders. Ch Supt McWhirter said: “A mindless act of vandalism after a night’s drinking can have serious consequences. A moment’s stupid behavior could affect the rest of your life.”  ThamesNews.net

• Headteachers yesterday warned that litigious parents could soon sue schools for failing to prevent their children from drinking, smoking or taking drugs. They fear that government plans to set targets for improving young people's health and welfare in England could unleash attacks on their ability to control wider health and social trends. Families are already taking legal action over schools' alleged failure to tackle bullying and heads say they could soon be held responsible for obesity, pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, drug taking and drinking.  Guardian Unlimited

• A report suggesting Oxford has the biggest binge-drinking problem in the South-East and the highest death rates from liver disease should be treated with caution, health chiefs and pub landlords in the city said.  Research carried out by the North West Public Health Observatory showed Oxford as the worst location for binge-drinking out of 66 other areas.  The public health researchers analysed data from a health survey for England, which quizzed 1,000 people aged 16 and above in the region, between 2002 to 2004.  Oxford is the 31st worst local authority area for binge drinking out of 354 nationally.  But a spokesman for Oxford City Primary Care Trust told the Oxford Mail that the survey findings needed to be treated with caution.  Oxford Mail

• A 30-STONE Charlton fan died as a charity night at his local boozer ended in violence.  Duncan Frame was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, after being found unconscious.  But there was nothing medics could do and he was declared dead on arrival.  The 52-year-old had been enjoying a charity evening at the Cutty Sark, Joyce Dawson Way, Thamesmead, when the trouble started on Saturday night.  A mass brawl left several people injured including unemployed Mr Frame who had suffered serious head injuries.  Police and ambulance crews arrived at the pub at around 11.30pm and were met with a scene of chaos.  Out of 21 people arrested, 20 were taken off to be questioned at police stations across the capital, while another had to be taken to hospital. At the time of going to press, 14 had been released on bail and ordered to return to a south London police station in November.  The remaining seven were still being held for questioning.  Police - who have launched a murder investigation - are looking into the possibility the violence was sparked by rival Charlton and Spurs' fans.  Newsshopper

• The vast majority of bar staff in Scotland believe their workplaces are healthier since the introduction of the smoking ban, according to a new survey.  The Cancer Research UK poll of 545 workers revealed that three-quarters thought the legislation would improve their health in the long term.  It found young people recognised the health benefits more than older people.  The charity has relaunched its poster campaign to celebrate the first six months of the ban.  Professor Gerard Hastings, director of the charity's Centre for Tobacco Control Research at Stirling University, said: "This is great news. The survey results show that, in just six months, the people of Scotland are already reaping the health benefits of going smoke-free." BBC News

• The European Commission on Friday announced that it has adopted a proposal to increase the minimum rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages agreed in 1992, from 1 January 2008.  Considering the need to avoid the EU system of minimum rates becoming meaningless, the Commission proposes to increase the minimum rates taking into account the inflation since 1992 and, therefore, restore their real value.  The majority of Member States will be unaffected by this proposal as their national rates already exceed the proposed new minimum rates. However, for those Member States that will have difficulties in increasing their national rates immediately, transition periods, up to 2010, are proposed.  Although the inflation rate is 31%, the economic and social impact of the proposal is likely to be minimal. For example, for beer, the biggest required increase in national excise duty would be in the order of one eurocent on half a litre of beer, at the latest by 1 January 2010.  Tax-News.com