Alcohol Policy UK

'Middle class' middle age drinkers most at risk

New research published in the BMJ suggests being 'middle class' is linked to higher risk drinking amongst over 50's, attracting national media headlines. The study found factors such as higher educational attainment, being socially active and good ratings of health were associated with higher risk drinking.

Higher risk drinking, referred to as 'harmful drinking' in NICE guidelines, was defined by the study as drinking over 50 units per week in men and over 35 units per week in women. 

Drinking amongst young people: HSCIC and Monitor 2015 reports

The latest report from the Health & Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) has been released, showing figures for smoking, drinking and drug use amongst school pupils mostly aged 11-15 in England. 

The proportion of pupils who had ever consumed alcohol (38%) was at the lowest since the survey began in 2003 (61%); compared to 2013 though, the 2014 figure was down 2% in boys, whilst for girls the figure remained at 39%.

The proportion of pupils who drink of course rises with age; 69% of 15 year olds reported having drunk alcohol ever ('had a proper alcoholic drink – a whole drink, not just a sip'), with 18% of 15 year olds having drunk alcohol in the last week. CMO guidance recommends children 15 and under do not drink alcohol at all.

Recent Findings bulletins: alcohol industry pledges, teen harm reduction lessons, IBA in A&E

Recent bulletins from the drug and alcohol bank:

Few new initiatives prompted by alcohol industry ‘pledges’

At the heart of the UK government’s alcohol strategy are the ‘Responsibility Deal’ pledges made by alcohol companies, but government-funded evaluators say actions committed to were usually already done or underway

Alcohol industry ‘pledges’ ineffective ... and perhaps worse

A second article from the same research unit says even if fully implemented, the pledges were unlikely to significantly affect consumption or health. Other sources suggest one effect has been to forestall a more effective measure – a minimum unit price for alcohol.

Harm reduction lessons curb drinking and harm where most needed

Why are young people drinking less? Demos report explores social factors

A Demos report exploring recent downward trends in young people's drinking has attracted national media attention. Many headlines highlighted the role of social media as a distraction or a shaming disincentive from binge drinking, but a more complex set of influences are likely to be at play.

National figures have shown significant falls over the recent decade in young people's drinking, a key driver behind the fall in overall consumption figures. The proportion of young adults (those aged 16-24) who reported binge drinking in the last week fell from 29% in 2005 to 18% in 2013.

Demos, a think tank who has received funding from SabMiller towards a several alcohol projects in recent years, commissioned a survey to identify young people's attitudes and influences around alcohol.

The survey found:

Alcohol and dementia risk highlighted by Alcohol Concern

Alcohol Concern have released a new factsheet highlighting the risks of dementia from heavy drinking.

Download Alcohol & Dementia facthsheet [pdf].

The factsheet reviews the evidence on heavy drinking and the most common forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. Although the relationship between alcohol and dementia is debated, Alcohol Concern say it is clear is that long term alcohol use can damage the brain and lead to cognitive impairment.

The factsheet highlights:

Wales consults on minimum pricing plans

The Welsh Government have announced a consultation on its plans to introduce a 50 pence minimum unit price (MUP), which runs until December this year.

The likely success of the draft Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Bill will still be reliant on the outcome of the current Scottish MUP battle, still going through the European courts. Scotland first passed legislation to implement a 50 pence MUP in 2012, but a number of industry bodies represented by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) mounted a legal challenge.

Alcohol's harm to others: IAS & SCHARR report

A new report released by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) highlights the extent of alcohol harms experienced as a result of other people's drinking, which costs the UK economy more than £15bn each year.

Download 'Alcohol's harm to others' [pdf] or see a video here.

Produced by the Institute of Alcohol Studies with the University of Sheffield School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), the report combines a review of the evidence and new survey data.

Over 2,000 adults from the North West of England and Scotland were asked about the harms experienced from others’ alcohol consumption. It reports most people experienced problems from other's drinking such as being harassed or insulted on the street, feeling unsafe in public, being kept awake at night and being sexually harassed.

The main findings of the report show that:

Royal College of Emergency Medicine release alcohol toolkit calling for further hospital provision

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine have released an alcohol toolkit which calls for further investment in Alcohol Care Teams and brief interventions to be carried by all medical staff in emergency settings.

Download Alcohol - A Toolkit for Improving Care [pdf]

The document provides a detailed resource covering key areas of alcohol activity that hospitals and Emergency Departments (ED) can undertake. It states the aims of the toolkit as:

News & updates June 2015: MUP cuts crime, loi evin, Anti-Social Behaviour, chimpanzees that drink, pregnancy, smoking in pubs

Selected June media stories since the May roundup:

Alcohol policy

Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) cuts crime, according to research from Canada. Crimes against the person fell by 9% over a decade as authorities in British Columbia increased prices by 10%. The Guardian

The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland has called for alcohol advertising at events aimed at children to be banned. BBC News

Drinks advertising in France, currently severely restricted, could become "almost limitless" if MPs approve wine grower-senator Gerard Cesar's (pictured) amendment on Monday, warns Claude Evin, father of landmark law on drink ads ban. Telegraph

Alcohol-related hospital admissions rise again reports the Guardian, despite falls in consumptions - APUK analysis here.

PHE release summary of international evidence on prevention of alcohol and drug use

Public Health England (PHE) have released a briefing summarising the international evidence on prevention for alcohol and drug use. The report is a summary of the UNODC prevention standards with reference to UK guidelines, programmes and interventions in England.

Download The international evidence on the prevention of drug and alcohol use: Summary and examples of implementation in England [pdf]