Alcohol Policy UK

Alcohol Concern youth survey: Alcohol Ads and You

Alcohol Concern are seeking young people aged under 18 to complete a survey exploring exposure to alcohol advertising. From Alcohol Concern:

The Alcohol Concern Youth Policy survey Alcohol Ads and You aims to find out what young people think about their exposure to alcohol advertising [online version here]. In the UK alone, alcohol companies spend over £800 million each year on promoting drinking. Under existing rules young people under 18-years-old should be protected from seeing most of these campaigns, but many studies show this isn’t always the case. We want to put the voice of young people at the heart of the debate about alcohol marketing in our society. So, with your help we’d like to capture the views of as many under-18 young people as possible.

Young people (under 18) can complete the survey online or by following the links on the Youth Policy website, or by filling in the interactive PDF and returning it by email.

There are 5 x £50 vouchers to be won and the deadline is 29 May 2011.

'Under the influence: what we know about binge-drinking' interim report

An interim report on binge drinking has been released by Demos:

'Under the influence: what we know about binge-drinking'

By 'binge-drinking', the report refers not to the Government definition of drinking twice the recommended guidelines on one occasion, but as "young adults that drink to extreme excess, often in an intentionally reckless and very public way, putting themselves and others at risk of harm." The report analyses the causes of, and possible responses to, binge-drinking among young adults aged 18-25 in the UK, including:

Recommendations: interventions targeted at individuals

• Enforcement of existing laws relating to public disorder.
• GP consortia or local authorities should expand Alcohol Recovery Centres (‘booze-tanks’) and Alternative Response Vehicles (‘booze-buses’) across major cities in partnership with local police, and charge people who use these services.
• Doctors and members of ARC should employ brief interventions to talk to binge-drinkers about ways to limit their consumption.

Recommendations: nudges and environmental changes

• Local authorities should form local partnerships to identify trouble-spots and intervene to reduce harm and anti-social behaviour.
• High quality training for bar-staff.
• Enforcement of the 2010 bans on promotions that are designed to encourage irresponsible drinking.
• Retailers and government should consider introducing responsible advertising, display and sales practices in the off-licence trade.  

Recommendations: changing social norms

• Non-preachy social marketing campaigns.
• Government should consider issuing advice to parents on drinking in front of children.

The interim paper has been prepared as part of a wider Demos project analysing the underlying causes of binge-drinking; the final report will be released in June 2011.

Past reports on the subject include 'Binge Drinking: A Confused Concept and its Contemporary History', an IAS factsheet and Alcohol Concern factsheet.

Parents’ perceptions of their children’s alcohol consumption: LJMU report

Results from a survey in Wirral secondary schools amongst parents and their children (aged 11-17 years) investigated the influences of parental drinking and perceptions of alcohol consumption.

Key findings from  Parents' perceptions of their children's alcohol use include:

• When parents’ responses were matched with those of their child, the majority (86%) of parents’ perceptions of their child’s drinking status were correct: 33% rightly assumed their child drank alcohol and 53% rightly assumed that their child did not drink. However, 9% were not aware that their child drank when they did.
• Using the matched responses, 64% of parents correctly assumed no harm had been experienced by their child. However, 19% of children had experienced harm of which their parents were unaware. This was significantly more common in children who reported drinking compared with those who did not
• 86% of parents reported having talked to their child about alcohol in the past three months. This was reported by 59% of children.
• Parents who perceived their child as drinking alcohol were significantly more likely to report having introduced at least three of the parenting methods to reduce/prevent alcohol consumption and related harm. (Parenting methods included ensuring their child carried their mobile phone.)
• Parental and child reported drinking was strongly related: children who drank were significantly more likely to report having at least one parent who drank than children who did not.

In 2010 a DCSF report 'Children, Young People and Alcohol' explored parent's and young people’s attitudes and behaviour towards alcohol. In 2009 the Chief Medical Officer's guidance on the consumption of alcohol by children and young people was released.

For further reports and information on alcohol and children and young people, see here on the Centre for Public Health’s website, Alcohol Learning Centre and a recent JRF study on children and family life.

 

News & updates Apr 2011 pt 2: Benefit claimaints under review; energy drinks and alcohol problems link; treatment services cuts survey; pubs and licensing news

Government focus on benefit claimants with drug and alcohol problems

The Prime Minister has spoken out on helping to move "trapped" incapacity benefit claimants with drug or alcohol problems into work. The Government plans to re-assess all people on incapacity benefit by 2014, including 42,360 people listed with 'alcoholism' and 37,480 with drug dependency. David Cameron denied they were stigmatising those with genuine problems and asked "...is it OK to leave these people on incapacity benefit, year after year, not examining their circumstances, not seeing if we can help them?". Alcohol Concern said more support was needed for dependent drinkers. See Drugscope's response and reports from the Daily Mail and a Channel 4 news fact check.

Energy drink use linked to alcohol dependence

A US study that found regular energy drink consumption is strongly associated with alcohol dependence has received significant media attention. The Telegraph reported energy drink combinations such as vodka and Redbull give a heightened feeling of intoxication whilst the Independent highlighted increased impulsivity. It also referenced a previous study that found a higher risk for injury and other alcohol-related consequences for those combining alcohol with energy drinks.

Drugscope survey on funding cuts to treatment services

DrugScope has relaunched its FundingWatch initiative to monitor the impact of changes in commissioning, funding and spending cuts affecting the sector. Complete the Fundingwatch survey here.

Pubs and licensing news

Controversy over the late night levy as revenue will not necessarily have to be used on extra policing for the night time economy, reports the Morning Advertiser. See here for Home Office factsheets on the late night levy, licensing act proposals and information on the Bill, plus recent Minister's answers on the proposals and authorities' powers to set fees.

Best Bar None (BBN) is becoming a "credible alternative" to regulation, according to BBN and BII chief executive Neil Robertson. Reportedly "abusive" licensing enforcement also according to the MA as plain-clothes police check up on problem pubs. Interesting comments from Carlsberg's Chief Executive urging pubs to focus on diversifying to keep up business rather than worrying about cheap supermarket sales.

An interesting insight into the pub world from Phil Mellows in a recent post From crisis to renewal: hopes for the history of the pub.

The European Drink Driving Forum is holding a one day conference next month in Brussels on the 19th May 2011.

Danger of 'white ciders': report calls for action

A report assessing white ciders and the impact on homeless drinkers has called for action to stop irresponsible profiteering from the high-alcohol low-cost drinks. 'White Ciders and street drinkers' was released by Alcohol Concern with backing from homeless charities St Mungo's and Thames Reach.   

The report states the drinks industry uses manufactured apple concentrate whilst benefiting from the tax breaks and low duty intended to boost the development of traditional craft cider production. Although recent changes means ciders must now contain a minimum 35% juice content, apple content is now being cheaply imported from Eastern Europe for white cider production. The report states this allows the industry to profit from a potent 7.5% ABV drink that is one of the cheapest ways to buy alcohol. Street drinkers interviewed on the effects of white cider reported extreme conditions ranging from panic attacks to vomiting blood.

The report's author, Tony Goodall, said "This research has allowed me to see some of the devastation that is caused by white cider, but also to understand that it is not easy to solve the problem." He urged more action from both the Government and the industry including further consideration of minimum pricing. Recommendations from the report include:

• To considerably increase tax on ciders above 5% in a bid to get manufacturers to decrease the alcohol levels in white ciders.
• To link cider duty rates to beer duty rates, especially super-strength lagers, and to look at minimum unit pricing.
• For the Licensing Act 2003 to be amended to include the protection of public health, and so to allow local authorities to ban the sale of super-strength drinks across their locality.
• An end to the practice of selling cider above 5% in two and three litre bottles and one litre cap to be introduced.

The Observer ran a feature 'White cider is becoming like heroin among alcoholics' and has previously reported 'Super-strength alcohol is killing more homeless people than crack or heroin'. See the Alcohol Concern press release.

In 2009 White Lightening was de-listed by its owners Heineken to 'reinforce its stance on responsible drinking', but the report highlighted brands such as White Ace, Carbon White and White Star sell for as little as 59p per can. One cider manufacturer in the report was quoted as saying that alcohol abuse and the white cider market was "a small percentage" which is a "social issue, not an economic issue".

IAS Alcohol Alert 2011 Issue 1; In Focus Scottish election special

IAS Alcohol Alert: Issue 1 2011

The latest IAS Alcohol Alert is available from the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS). The issue's headline article attacks the Government's alcohol policy, emphasising dissatisfaction over the Responsibility Deal, below cost ban and decision to stick with the current drink-drive limit. The Alert also reviews key alcohol policy news and developements over recent months including a slight fall in alcohol-related deaths, licensing act changes, and predicted rises in alcohol-related admissions. Full article index here. 

 

Alcohol Focus Scotland: In Focus Election Special

An election special In Focus has been released by Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) as the 5th May election approaches. The report contains responses from the five main political parties on their plans to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland. AFS recently released a manifesto as the SNP re-launced minimum pricing plans.

Alcohol Concern report: A&E action to address alcohol harms to young people

A new Alcohol Concern briefing report outlines steps A&E departments can take to provide harm reduction to young people who attend hospital as a result of their drinking:

Reducing underage alcohol harm in Accident and Emergency settings

The report outlines simple steps that A&E departments can take to identify at risk young drinkers in order to provide them with access to appropriate early interventions. Key points include:

• A&E departments should prioritise the reduction of alcohol harm in young people. Simple preventative measures will have positive long-term cost benefits and improve health outcomes for patients.
• Alcohol-related A&E attendances should be consistently recorded, including when alcohol is a contributory (e.g. self-harm, head injuries) as well as a primary (poisoning) factor in attendance.
• A&E departments should consider recognising young people’s alcohol-related attendances as a safeguarding concern that warrants intervention, including referral to specialist support.
• A&E health staff should be trained to identify alcohol-related attendances and given support in delivering brief harm-reduction interventions.

See here for an Alcohol Conern press release. The report was also featured in The Guardian.

News and updates April 2011: Alcohol and cancer risk; move to restrict advertising; alcohol's cost to Wales; Royal Wedding licensing hours

Increased cancer risk with alcohol consumption

Research published in the BMJ has highlighted that around 10% of all cancers in men and 3% in women are attributable to alcohol consumption. Although the media reported increased risk of cancer even when drinking within the recommended guidelines, the BMJ highlighted risk to be proportionately greater on exceeding the guidelines. See an NHS Choices summary on the topic and reports from the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph and Cancer Research UK.

Calls to protect children from alcohol advertising

A call for a tougher stance on alcohol advertising in the UK has been given the backing of health experts. Dr Sarah Wollaston, a Conservative MP who has also called for minimum pricing, put forward a private members bill to limit the exposure of children to alcohol marketing. It calls for statutory regulation that outlaws marketing to children and ensures that information in ads is factual and verifiable, similar to laws passed in France. The move was backed by health experts writing in the BMJ, but drinks producer Diageo spoke out and claimed the evidence was unsubstantiated.

Obesity and alcohol misuse costs NHS £140m in Wales reports the BBC. The research put the cost of obesity to the NHS in Wales at £73m and excessive alcohol consumption at between £69.9m and £73.3m. See here for Independant report.

Relaxation of licensing hours for the Royal Wedding have been confirmed. An order allows licensed premises in England and Wales to stay open between 11pm on Friday 29 April and 1am on Saturday 30 April, and between 11pm on Saturday 30 April and 1am on Sunday 1 May. More here.

Responses to the 'Healthy Lives, Healthy People' consultation on the public health White Paper are available from Drugscope, The King's Fund, Faculty of Public Health and the BMA.

Other news

The LGA has called for clarification on how the below cost ban is to be implemented. Whilst welcoming the measures and wider licensing act changes, it warns of already under-resourced Trading Standard teams. The FullFact website scrutinized Home Office claims that the ban “will reduce crime by 7,000 incidents a year 2,000 of which are violent crimes”.

Soaring numbers of women are drinking hazardous amounts of alcohol - a quarter in under-24s, the Daily Mail reports. Revellers in Hull city centre who drink so much they cannot look after themselves are being threatened with fines, the BBC reports. A Telegraph report on the recent drink-drive changes looks at motorists set to lose the right to demand a blood test.

A Guardian comment explores the current alcohol policy and the responsibility deal. See our recent guest post analysis for an insight into determinants and influences on alcohol policy.

Scotland news and updates: AFS release new Manifesto; SNP still seek minimum price; national brief interventions target met

Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) have launched a new Manifesto which calls for the new Scottish Parliament to take decisive steps to reduce the harm caused by alcohol by:

• Increasing the price and reducing the availability of alcohol
• Specifically targeting supermarkets for increased regulation
• Banning alcohol sports sponsorship
• Reducing drink driving limits to 50mg
• Awareness raising campaign on the harm alcohol causes to others
• Improved treatment and support services for people in need

See here for the full 8 calls to action. The Scottish National Party (SNP) recently announced they would revive their plans for a minimum price if they win the Scottish national elections on May 5th. A senior police officer has also backed the measure.

NHS Scotland have also recently met the national 3 year target to deliver nearly 150,000 brief interventions by March 2011. See this Alcohol Information Scotland page for previous reports.

Latest Findings & other alcohol research: UK Criminal Justice needs; depressed drinkers and intervention insights

Recent research from the drug and alcohol Bank:

Alcohol Interventions in the British Criminal Justice System

• Unmet need for alcohol services in English prisons
  Prison inspections and surveys of prisoners and staff in England reveal what HM Inspectorate of Prisons called a depressing picture of very limited services for problem drinking inmates, leaving them with poor prospects on release.
• Scottish prisons leave many problem drinkers without help 
  What does the Scottish Prison Service need to do to adequately address alcohol problems among inmates? Key finding was that many prisoners who could benefit from interventions were being missed.
• Not enough money for problem drinking offenders in the community   Complements the prison report above with an investigation of what is being done in Scotland to meet the needs of problem drinking offenders by  services outside prison, and assesses whether local arrangements measure up. Under-funding emerges as a key issue.

Treatment and prevention bulletins

• Male and female depressed drinkers react best to different therapies Australian study provides the first evidence that integrated treatment may be superior for depressed heavy drinkers, and raises the intriguing possibility that men react best to alcohol-focused therapy, women to a depression focus.
• Problem drinking curbed by EU-funded drug education curriculum The largest European drug education trial ever conducted tested whether US-style social influence programmes would prove effective in Europe. Among the successes were the reductions in problem drinking documented in this report, but substance use as such could not be shown to have been reduced.

Brief interventions and health outcomes research

Free research summaries are available from the US-based Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Health: Current Evidence page. Individual links are listed and a newsletter summarising research findings on Dual Diagnosis, GP barriers to brief interventions, older drinkers and Naltrexone.

Further research can be found in the Findings bank, the AERC library, our research tag and a links page on the Alcohol Learning Centre.