Alcohol Policy UK

Minor variations consultation part 2 marks small victory for residents' groups

DCMS has announced a new licensing consultation on proposals to introduce a new minor variations process, and remove certain requirements at community premises. The consultation seeks views on two proposals which are aimed at simplifying the licensing process under the Licensing Act 2003 and removing unnecessary burdens on licence and club certificate holders.  The consultation document is here.

The first proposal seeks to introduce a new, simplified process for making minor variations to premises licences and club premises certificates. The Government consulted on policy options for this proposal from 31 November 2007 – 20 February 2008.  DCMS supported an option to amend the Act to introduce a new process for minor variations, broadly defined as any variation that does not impact adversely on the promotion of the licensing objectives.  Under this option, licensing authorities would decide whether a variation was minor and would be required to consult relevant responsible authorities as they judged necessary, depending on the individual circumstances of the variation.

The majority of respondents to the consultation agreed with this option but a minority, including all residents’ associations and some Local Authorities (LAs) felt that leaving the matter to be determined by LAs would lead to inconsistencies in interpretation and the risk that licensing officers might allow variations under the minor variations process that could affect residents and local businesses. Residents’ groups in particular were concerned that applications for extended licensing hours for the sale or supply of alcohol might be allowed through the new process, with no opportunity for residents to object. Similar concerns were also expressed, but to a lesser extent, about the addition of licensable activities, changes to the layout of a premises and changes to licence conditions.

Taking heed of these concerns, the Government 'recognises that appropriate weight should be given to the particular concerns expressed about alcohol related variations'.  The proposal now is to exclude from the minor variations process:

• the addition of the sale or supply of alcohol to a licence or club premises certificate
• the sale or supply of alcohol at any time between 11pm and 7am
• any increase in the amount of time on any day during which alcohol may be sold or supplied

The second proposal seeks to remove the requirement for a Designated Premises Supervisor and personal licence for community halls.  The Government consulted on policy options for this proposal from 8 August 2007 to 31 October 2007, and secured support for the proposals.

Alcohol and obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes

I've been thinking about the new alcohol-related hospital admissions stats, and the need - if we are to reduce admission rates - to turn our attention towards the main alcohol-related conditions (as opposed to the small group of conditions directly caused by alcohol). 

Although we have always known excessive drinking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), for example, other factors are seen as more important - smoking and obesity.  I understand there are no plans to prioritise alcohol in the CVD screening programme that will be rolled out from 09/10 (under the screening plans everyone aged 40 to 74 will be assessed for vascular risk in primary care).

Chatting about this to Jim Young, editor of the indispensible Daily Dose, and now also involved in a new diabetes news service, Glycosmedia, he immediately found a US study which has just reported that people who drink too much have increased odds of developing 'metabolic syndrome', a series of risk factors and conditions that are strongly related to cardiovascular disease, inlcuding obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.

The study, expected to be published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, defines excess drinking as more than two drinks per day for men or one drink a day for women. Binge drinkers are also considered to be at an increased risk.

The authors said that public health messages should emphasise the potential cardiometabolic risk linked to drinking in excess, and:

"Prevention efforts should focus on reducing alcohol consumption to safer levels. Unfortunately, few physicians screen their patients about alcohol use or are knowledgeable about guidelines that define low-risk or moderate drinking."

In the UK are we doing enough to make the links between metabolic syndrome conditions and alcohol?  Please get in touch if you have any comments on this (email or leave a comment). 

 

JSNA core dataset published but alcohol guidance is poor

The Department of Health has published a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) core dataset - a list of indicators that can assist partners in preparing their JSNA, with detailed information on each indicator.  The dataset takes into account the National Indicator Set and Vital Signs and provides 'a good foundation that can be supplemented with local data and information.'

Unfortunately the dataset authors appear not to know about the NWPHO local alcohol profiles.  For alcohol, the dataset comprises the following:

• Alcohol-harm related hospital admission rates (NI 39 and Vital Sign VSC26) (using the NI definition)
• Modelled and/or recorded drinking behaviour (using local surveys (where available) and Neighbourhood Statistics: LA Model-Based Estimates of Healthy Lifestyles Behaviours, 2003-05)

Surely the NWPHO indicators on prevalence, health harm and numbers on benefits due to alcoholism are perfect for the JSNA?  And why not include some indications of local numbers in treatment against predicted need (as per the Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project, ANARP)?

The Dept of Health says 'work on the core dataset is ongoing and as the work evolves, indicators may be added, removed or amended.'  So perhaps this can be put right.

Increasing calls for action as retailers flout drinks code

Calls from the police, media and organisations such as Alcohol Concern to act on industry regulation have been increasingly high profile following recent developments and findings on the lack of adherence to the industry's voluntary code. Last month the government began consultation on possible action on the industry, based on a series of findings and independent reviews.

This week a range of media reports were released calling for action whilst highlighting the extent of bad industry practice across the country including happy hours, cheap promotions and aggressive marketing. An article in The Guardian blamed prices wars between large chains vying for competition and expected an increase in cheap drinks promotions over the summer. The Guardian also drew attention to the rescinding of the industry's voluntary code of practice following a legal glitch that meant it contravened European Competition law.

Frank Soodeen of Alcohol Concern claimed the trade's committment to responsible drinking was often 'superficial at best' whilst Chris Allison, the Association of Chief Police Officers' lead on alcohol stated: "Sadly the trade repeatedly shows that it cannot be relied upon to consistently act in a responsible way. It is now time for the government to take some action against the trade and to legislate to ensure that the licensing trade always acts responsibly."

Meanwhile the alcohol trade continued to point the finger at heavy discounting of alcohol in supermarkets as forcing on licensed premises to sell competitively as The Sun announced pub beer sales were at their lowest levels in 75 years. However Diageo chief executive Paul Welsh has stated "There is no hard evidence that pricing affects consumption." He recently defended the industry and arguments against minimum pricing on the BBC News channel film clip.

Further articles on the subject can be found in The Times an The Telegraph.

Drinking blamed on rise in violence by women

The Daily Mail has linked women's drinking to a rise in violent crime by women.  In an article entitled, Menace of the violent girls: Binge-drinking culture fuels surge in attacks by women the paper says "the number of violent attacks by women has doubled in just five years in the age of the 'ladette' binge-drinking culture. Last year 87,200 women and girls were arrested for attacks – the equivalent of 240 every day. It is the first time in history that violence has been the most common crime among women and girls, taking over from theft.

The category includes every violent offence from street brawls and assault to grievous bodily harm and murder.  The shocking Government figures showed a rise of 8,300 in the number of women arrested for violence compared to 2005-2006 – an increase of 11%. Critics said there are clear links between the epidemic of loutish behaviour and heavy drinking, which they accused the Government of fuelling through 24-hour licensing."

The data was published by the Minsitry of Justice on 30th July in Arrests for Recorded Crime (Notifiable Offences) and the Operation of Certain Police Powers under PACE England and Wales 2006/07

Alcohol services in England and Wales - new edition published

Alcohol Concern has launched a new edition of its free, online services directory. The new database provides details for the 650 plus alcohol services currently operating in England and Wales.

Alcohol Concern expects it to be a useful resource for social workers, probation officers, those working in primary care, mental health, social care and other professionals who want to access an alcohol intervention for patients and clients whose drinking is causing difficulty. Each entry gives clear information on the location of each service, the type of help available and the kind (voluntary, statutory and private) of agency providing the service.

The directory, which provides information on the widest range of alcohol services available, from residential rehabilitation to telephone counselling, is a unique resource for social care, health and offender managers. Tessa Hall, Information and Communications Manager at Alcohol Concern said:

Alcohol misuse is often implicated in declining health and wellbeing. This new directory provides a reliable reference point for the many professionals who are trying to organise support for their patients and clients, but are unsure about where to start looking. We are committed to widening access to alcohol services and believe that by providing this free information online we can increase the likelihood that people in need will receive the help they need to address their drinking.