Alcohol Policy UK

Consultation reminder: deadline approaches for government proposals on industry action & Alcohol Concern provide short online consultation tool

Professionals and the public alike are being urged to submit responses to the Safe. Sensible. Social industry consultation proposals as the deadline of 14th October fast approaches. The two key documents, Safe. Sensible. Social - consultation for further action and the supporting impact assessment, are available on the Department of Health site here.  However Alcohol Concern have released a short online tool to allow people to respond quickly by answering up to 6 questions relating to the proposals.

The full Safe. Sensible. Social - consultation for further action document asks for views on:

• how a new alcohol retailing code could be used to end poor retailing practice that leads to alcohol-related health and social harm
• whether this code should be backed up by new legislation to make it mandatory
• what action the Government should take if the voluntary agreement on alcohol labelling is not implemented
• what more can be done by the NHS and others to make sure advice and help on alcohol are available for those who need them.

The supporting impact assessment also gives a detailed assessment of the likely consequences of the main proposals for action which are:

1. Do nothing
2. Government works with the licensed trade [and alcohol producers] to draw up and publish a revised code and makes no statutory changes but encourages enforcement agencies to take adoption of the code into account when assessing premises during inspection and review.
3. As option 2, but also, through statute, allow local authorities to agree mandatory restrictions or requirements on certain types of promotions and other activity to apply to a number (or even all) licensed premises in local areas that are experiencing problems.
4. Legislate to create a set of mandatory licensing conditions for all new or existing licenses or create a mandatory code for the alcohol industry, compliance with which is a mandatory condition of all licenses.

Some professionals reportedly fear that the industry will submit extensive responses arguing that current self regulation is working, despite findings from a number of independent reviews. Department of Health would therefore like members of the public and alcohol harm reduction professionals to submit their views on what action should be taken.

Alcohol Concern's Chief Executive, Don Shenker, wrote a piece on the need to respond to the proposals published in the 8th September edition of Drink and Drugs news (on page 8). The Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has also recently called for minimum pricing in response to supermarkets selling alcohol as a loss leader. You can also see Alcohol Concern's full draft consultation submission here.

Diageo launches responsible drinking site as industry consultation deadline approaches

Diageo, one of the UK's leading drinks producers, have launched a new website DRINKIQ aimed at promoting responsible drinking. Whilst the site is aimed at it's international consumers, Diageo appear keen to further promote themselves as responsible manufacturers in the UK having recently sponsored the Guardian's alcohol supplement. Diageo are also members of the Portman group, the UK alcohol industry social responsibility body which set up the Drinkaware trust to deliver a range of communication resources including the website www.drinkaware.co.uk.

The Department of Health (DoH) Know Your Limits campaigns also promotes responsible drinking with support of their units site so it now seems that there is no shortage of online information and advice on sensible drinking. Additionally we are expecting further targeted social marketing from the DoH following the recent research on the apparent 9 types of heavy drinkers. However most in the field will be eagerly anticipating the outcome of the proposals for further government action to ensure responsible industry practice following the reported shortfalls of current practice. The consultation is open until the 14th of October.

Nine 'types' of heavy drinkers identified

The Department of Health (DoH) have announced research findings identifying 9 types of heavy drinker; those regularly drinking at least twice the recommended guidelines of 35 units a week for women and 50 a week for men. The DoH commissioned the research in order to develop targeted social marketing campaigns to help reduce the harm caused by heavy drinking. Alcohol is reported to currently cost the NHS £2.7 billion a year but the DoH have been taking increasing measures to address alcohol related hospital admissions.

The 9 personality types of heavy drinker were summarised in a Guardian article this week as:

· "De-stress drinkers" use alcohol to regain control of life and calm down. They include middle-class women and men.

· "Conformist drinkers" are driven by the need to belong and seek a structure to their lives. They are typically men aged 45 to 59 in clerical or manual jobs.

· "Boredom drinkers" consume alcohol to pass the time, seeking stimulation to relieve the monotony of life. Alcohol helps them to feel comforted and secure.

· "Depressed drinkers" may be of any age, gender or socioeconomic group. They crave comfort, safety and security.

· "Re-bonding drinkers" are driven by a need to keep in touch with people who are close to them.

· "Community drinkers" are motivated by the need to belong. They are usually lower middle class men and women who drink in large friendship groups.

· "Hedonistic drinkers" crave stimulation and want to abandon control. They are often divorced people with grown-up children, who want to stand out from the crowd.

· "Macho drinkers" spend most of their spare time in pubs. They are mostly men of all ages who want to stand out from the crowd.

· "Border dependents" regard the pub as a home from home. They visit it during the day and the evening, on weekdays and at weekends, drinking fast and often.

Following the research, a new pilot campaign has been launched in the North-West which will include new self-help packs allowing drinkers to calculate the medical risks associated with various levels of intake, according to a report from the Press Association.

The DoH, alongside government departments including the Home Office, have delivered a number of high profile campaigns and materials over the last year, including targeted work on raising unit awareness through the Know Your Limits site.

Project Officer: Data sharing in A&E

The London Regional Public Health Group are now advertising for the position of Project Officer: Data sharing in A&E. The key function of the role is to take forward a programme of activities with the NHS to reduce alcohol related hospital admissions. A key component of this will be work to enable the NHS with their local Crime and Drugs Reduction Partners to reduce violence related attendances and admissions at hospital.

Vacancy details, including job description and personal specification are available from the NHS jobs site here.

The closing date is 29/09/08. For further details contact susan.ismaeel@dh.gsi.gov.uk or on 0207 2173388.

Guardian alcohol supplement reports available online

Last week's Guardian contained an alcohol supplement covering a range of alcohol issues facing the UK. If you missed it you can find the reports contained within the pull-out here.

The supplement was sponsored by Diageo, one of the leading drinks manufacturers in the UK, indicating the industry are still keen to show they are voluntarily doing their bit to promote responsible drinking in the face of further action from government, proposals for which are currently out for consultation.

The supplement covers a range of issues with features on education, young people, health and the history of alcohol consumption and legislation. A report by Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance, argues that whilst further legislative measures will not be popular with politicians, the public or the industry, they are still necessary as price and availability are the biggest levers for consumption.

Education and young people's views on binge drinking

Much of the supplement focused on the issues facing young people; one report looked at a number of initiatives that have been raising awareness of alcohol issues amongst young people including theatre projects and the success of specific intervention programmes looking at issues such as family problems. Another report surveyed teenagers on alcohol and binge drinking which included views that:

• Happy hours don't make a difference as cheap alcohol will just be bought elsewhere
• Cheap shots do encourage binge drinking but police and security should be increased
• Binge drinking warnings 'help' but aren't taken seriously
• People should be shown the long term consequences
• Beers should have the number of units displayed alongside alcohol strength
• People think in 'pints and half pints' rather than units
• There is a big drinking culture and pressure to drink, especially on tee-totallers
• Alcohol education in schools should be improved
• There is not peer pressure but a drinking culture exists
• Alcohol is easy to get from off-licenses, though harder in bars and pubs

If you have views on whether further action should be taken to regulate the industry, price and availability, please submit them by the 14th October 2008 using the consultation guidance and documents found here.

Alcohol Academy bid put forward following consultation findings

Ranzetta Consulting/Alcohol Policy UK would like to expressly thank all those who contributed to and supported the recent consultation on proposals to develop an Alcohol Academy for local coordinators and leads. The AERC funded scoping exercise was carried out to explore the need for a network of alcohol coordinators/local alcohol leads and also the potential need for a training and knowledge exchange. Over 64 consultation responses were received, the majority from local alcohol coordinators and leads within local authorities or PCTs. Responses were also received from key regional and national alcohol leads including the Government Office, Department of Health (DoH), Home Office and other government departments. Additionally feedback was received from a number of leading academics and other key organisations such as Alcohol Concern and the Institute for Alcohol Studies.

Findings

A detailed questionnaire was completed by alcohol coordinators and leads across the country providing insight into the roles, structures, needs and exsiting resources currently available. 92% of alcohol coordinators and leads stated they would value a network as proposed and 83% believed an alcohol acadmey was a good idea. However the research revealed a number of existing groups, forums and resources currently available and that in a number of areas strong networking groups were already in place. However most felt that further development of a formal networking structure and academy could work to enhance and support regional and national alcohol work.

In response to the findings, a bid has been submitted to the AERC to develop an academy that will deliver on the following recommendations:

1.      That the academy delivers events and support that is tailored to local coordinators’ needs, as identified by them

For example the research found that key needs for existing coordinators/leads include:

• Training relating to commissioning skills
• Training relating to strategic approaches to alcohol delivery
• Training relating to project management skills and partnership working
• Support in translating the implications and application of national policy and guidance at local levels
• The management of multiple agendas
• The delivery of both health and crime and disorder agendas
• Networking and peer support events where structures are not in place
• Support in delivering actions such as workforce alcohol training, managing partnerships, building effective links into related agendas etc.

2.      That the academy has four objectives

1. The dissemination and sharing of accessible, relevant information through  the Alcohol Policy UK portal and an email discussion list
2. The development of coordinators’ skills and knowledge through tailored seminars delivered across the country
3. Support for other initiatives that aim to network professionals in the field and share best practice, including HubCAPP and the DoH’s Virtual Learning Centre
4. The promotion of “what works” in alcohol harm reduction by hosting coordinator-led projects and facilitating better evaluation of initiatives

3.      That the academy does not duplicate any existing projects or initiatives but is developed with full regard to regional and national activity

The academy will be developed with full consideration of/discussion with the following:

• Existing coordinator networks and forums
• Regional alcohol leads, strategic meetings and forums   
• National alcohol leads, strategic meetings and forums
• Key organisations such as Alcohol Concern and the Institute of Alcohol Studies
• Key projects and initiatives including HuBCAPP, Daily Dose, Drug and Alcohol Findings etc
• The academy will ensure that the delivery of any work or seminar does not duplicate existing or planned work and that is responding to a need that is recognised and supported by alcohol coordinators/leads

4.      That the academy runs as a not for profit organisation

The academy will be run on a not-for-profit  basis so that there is minimal cost to coordinators or their organisations.

We would once again like to thank all those who responded to the questionnaire, those who attended the scoping seminar, the IAS for providing the venue and the AERC for the funding.

The full report is available here: Scoping project for an alcohol academy report.

Guidance for GP alcohol Direct Enhanced Service

A guidance document has been released to support the delivery of clinical directed enhanced services, alcohol being one of the five key health and service priorities. The DES allows specific funding for GPs to deliver Screening and Brief Interventions (SBIs) to newly registered patients. The DESs began in April 2008 and are scheduled to run for 2 years backed by £50 million funding proposed earlier in the year, with an annual £8 million alcohol allocation.

According to the guidance, practices are required to screen newly registered patients using a shortened screening tool such as FAST. Those identified as positive will be given the full AUDIT test to determine if they are drinking at hazardous or harmful levels, and then offered the recommended intervention of 5 minutes brief advice in line with University of Newcastle's primary care guidance 'How Much is too much?'. Dependant drinkers should be referred to local treatment services.

Practices will be paid £2.33 for each newly registered patient aged 16 and over who have received screening by providing:

• the number of newly registered patients aged 16 and over within the financial year who have had the short standard case finding test (FAST or AUDIT-C)
• the number of newly registered patients aged 16 and over who have screened positive using a short case-finding test (as above) during the financial year, who then undergo a fuller assessment using a validated tool (AUDIT) to determine hazardous, harmful or likely dependent drinking
• the number of hazardous or harmful drinkers who have received a brief intervention to help them reduce their alcohol-related risk
• the number of patients scoring 20+ on AUDIT who have been referred for specialist advice for dependent drinking

Earlier this year an alcohol primary care services framework was released by the NHS to support commissioners in setting up SBI programmes in primary care.

Alcohol indicators for drunkeness - should UK policy follow?

Australian officials, known for a proactive policy approach to alcohol, have drawn up a list of '39 indicators for drunkenness' to assist pub and club owners identify drunken patrons. The list may be significant for UK policy in that prosecutions for selling alcohol to people who are believed to be drunk are rare.  Under S.141 of the 2003 Licensing act, an offence of “knowingly” selling alcohol to an intoxicated person can be judged by a police officer who can issue an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice.

However there are no official guidelines for identifying drunkenness. Alcohol related training for police and bar staff on  is considered best practice and encouraged through local alcohol strategies in the local strategy implementation toolkit. Last year a Home Office Christmas campaign funded 90 police forces across England and Wales to carry out alcohol awareness raising and enforcement exercises focusing on premises not addressing drunkenness issues according to their responsibilities.

Consultation on proposals to address alcohol related issues including licensing problems is currently open until October 15th; consultation documents can be found here.

 

News and updates: radio DJs promote drinking, new alcohol binge leaflet

Radio DJs promote excessive drinking

Research into 1,200 hours of radio output found 703 references to alcohol and three-quarters of the comments encouraged drinking, of which 13% promoted "excessive drinking". However whereas nearly half the comments on BBC radio were either neutral or discouraged heavy drinking, this accounted for only 17% of the comments on commercial radio. Media coverage including a BBC release looking closely at the report have highlighted big name DJs such as Chris Moyles as responsible for such comments. Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said has said in response:

"If we are going to change the nation's drinking habits, we really need to change the way we talk about alcohol. It is disappointing that so many of our radio stations glorify being drunk."

New alcohol leaflet 'How does you night end?'

The Home Office have released a new alcohol leaflet targetted at 18-24 year old binge drinkers to encourage them to drink sensibly and to highlight the consequences of drunken anti-social behaviour. Hard copies can also be ordered via the Home Office website here

News and updates: Media calls for action, Scotland's licensing plans and BTP responds to football disorder on public transport

Further media comment calls for action on industry

Another forthright article has been published calling for the government to take action against the industry to ensure responsible retailing and promotion, following an increasing perception of the industries failed self regulation. John Harris wrote the article 'Brown must call time on the booze trade's lack of restraint' in this week's Guardian. It follows a number of high profile calls for the government to act earlier in the year following findings of widespread flouting of the voluntary code, as reported here.

Scotland plans further action on licensing regulations and under 21 restrictions

Scottish Justice Minister Kenny McAskill has announced that 'fit and proper' tests will be re-instated to allow police to comment on applications to become licensees, despite the forthcoming licensing act due to come in next year having scrapped this approach, reports the morning advertiser.

A number of reports in the media this week have again also reported the Scottish National Party (SNP) are planning legislation that would stop under 21s purchasing alcohol outside of pubs and bars. Highlighted in an article in the Guardian, Alex Salmon, Scotland's first minister said

"The practical evidence is that restriction, that protection of our young people actually helps reduce violent incidents, protects people and makes our streets safer and communities better."

For more information, we covered this back in June under the post Scotland proposes ban on under 21s purchasing alcohol. Media site inthenews also covered this story and earlier this year covered a story on alcohol misuse fuelling Scottish suicide rates. Scotland also has its alcohol strategy out for consultation.

British Transport Police calls for football fans to drink responsibly

British Transport Police (BTP) have called for fans 'not to over indulge in alcohol' following a continued rise in alcohol related problems railnews reports. In response to an eigth consecutive year of rising alcohol related incidents, a forum has been set up to bring together key rail industry groups, football leagues and associations and supporters associations to work through issues of concern. Police will also be working further on banning orders as well as options for enforcing the new alcohol 'ban' on the underground brought in by London Mayor Boris Johnson this year.