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.
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