Alcohol Policy UK

'Drink Wise, Age Well': older adults and the labour market

The 'Drink Wise, Age Well' programme has released a new report exploring the relationship between alcohol and labour market activity in the over 50s population of the UK, and a workplace guide for employers.

According to the executive summary:

'The report sets out the specific barriers and challenges faced by over 50s with current or previous drinking problems at three stages of labour market activity: unemployment, employment and retirement. At each stage, this report shows that there is a pressing need for action, not just for the emotional and physical wellbeing of our over 50s population, but for the wider UK economy and the productivity of the UK labour force. This group of over 50s often suffer multiple levels of stigmatisation due to their age, history of alcohol problems and employment status. There is a need for central and local government, employers and the third sector to address these barriers now in order to prevent alcohol-related harm in the over 50s population of the UK.'

Health Survey for England 2015: latest consumption figures

Findings from the Health Survey for England (HSE) 2015 have been released, including the adult's drinking [pdf] and children's drinking [pdf] chapters. See here for the trend tables, data tables and press release.

The figures show that drinking amongst children aged 8-15 is at its lowest since the survey began, with 16% of boys and 15% of girls aged 8 to 15 reported having experience of drinking alcohol. For adults, mixed trends in consumption were found, generally supporting concerns over middle to older adults as at risk of rising consumption and harms.

Findings bulletins: naltrexone Vs acamprosate, treatment pathways, IBA history, drugs & doctors

Recent bulletins from the drug and alcohol bank:

Naltrexone and acamprosate best suited to different alcohol treatment goals

Naltrexone and acamprosate both modestly curtail drinking among alcohol-dependent patients, but which is best in which circumstances and for which treatment goals? To find out, this review compared the medications’ performance when separately benchmarked against a placebo, bringing to bear much more data than is available from the few trials which directly compared the two.

Alcohol treatment pathways can be confusing and unpredictable, say patients

Tackling Street Drinking PCC guidance: what's new?

New guidance 'Tackling Street Drinking' [pdf] has been released by a consortium of Police Crime Commissioners (PCCs), which aims to 'reduce the incidents of, and burden from, street drinking and to improve the interventions provided to street drinkers themselves.'

The guidance states that street drinking is a 'widespread and persistent problem', and should be tackled on the basis of negative effects on those who witness it including children, the effect on local businesses, and costs incurred to the public sector.

As such the report identified 'nine areas of action that PCCs can pursue to make a difference':

Improve services to address addiction related unemployment, says Dame Carol Black

Dame Carol Black's review into the effects on employment outcomes of drug or alcohol addiction and obesity has been released by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The review sets out a series of recommendations to improve options and support for those with drug and alcohol dependence, and does not endorse restricting benefits as was speculated in 2015.

Whilst the scope of the report covers also the role of obesity on employment outcomes, it states the issue is 'different' to substance addiction and 'is treated seperately'. Specifically on alcohol, the report states:

IAS Alert November 2016: Scottish Government award, alcohol advertising, Liverpool levy, children & more

The latest Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) Alcohol Alert: November 2016  is now available (here for PDF version). Read the editorial here and articles below:

• Scottish Government wins award for reducing alcohol harm

• Alcohol the cause of 5% of new cancer cases

• Alcohol brands’ ads within guidelines, say ASA

• Alcohol misuse most often treated in middle age

PHE evidence review 2016: will Government policy respond?

Public Health England (PHE) have released its review of the evidence on actions to address alcohol harms. 

Download The public health burden of alcohol and the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol control policies: An evidence review [pdf]

The evidence review covers seven key areas:

• Taxation and price regulation
• Regulating marketing
• Regulating availability
• Providing information and education
• Managing the drinking environment

News & updates November 2016: MUP, remote monitoring, tax debates, video games, AlcoPatch & more

Selected media stories since the October roundup:

News & policy reports

Sections of the alcohol industry have prolonged the fight against Scotland's plans for minimum alcohol pricing (MUP). The Scotch Whisky Association said it had a "strong view that minimum pricing is incompatible with EU law" and would appeal, but Health Secretary Shona Robison said the decision was "deeply disappointing". BBC news and APUK analysis.

At least half of the alcohol sold in Scotland is below the sought 50 pence MUP, a survey suggests. More than two-thirds (69%) of the spirits currently sold fall below the 50p per unit threshold, according to analysts Nielsen - BBC news

Alcohol-related cancers projected to rise - can mass media campaigns help?

Increasing recognition of the risks of alcohol-related cancer has been a priority for a number of health organisations, with recent research identifying limited levels of awareness and projected rises in incidences.

A report released last month commissioned by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) attracted significant media coverage of its findings that alcohol-related cancers could cause around 135,000 deaths over the next 20 years in England.