Alcohol Policy UK

Scotland's drink-drive limit reduction - ineffective in isolation?

A new study published in the Lancet indicates the lowering of Scotland's drink-drive limit in 2014 to 50mg has not resulted in a reduction of Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs), though it suggests this may be due to a lack of supporting enforcement and campaigns.

Jim Lewsey, Professor of Medical Statistics, at the University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, said the findings were "surprising" given previous international evidence, which "generally supports a reduction of RTAs following the same lowering of a blood alcohol concentration limit", and that:

Nine areas awarded children & families innovation fund; new safeguarding guidance & capital fund bid

Earlier this month Public Health England (PHE) announced nine projects that have been awarded funding as part of the innovation fund to support local authorities seeking to address the needs of children of dependent drinkers.

New guidance for local authorities on safeguarding children with alcohol and drug dependent parents has also been released, as well as a new round of capital funding to improve access to alcohol treatment in the community.

Events & dates 2019: Dry January; Alcohol Problems, Policy & Practice; BSA; SHAAP; CABR

Not far off from 2019 now, with many people no doubt intending to kick the new year off with resolutions or a Dry January. Now led by the recently formed Alcohol Change UK, the charity says an estimated 1 in 10 drinkers - 4.2 million people in the UK – are already planning to do Dry January in 2019 'to feel healthier, save money and improve their relationship with alcohol long term.'

Participants can sign up via the dryjanuary.org.uk for regular support emails with tips and tricks or download the free app. A new book Try Dry: The Official Guide to a Month Off Booze, has also been released, published by Square Peg, with a foreword by comedian and actor Lee Mack.

Alcohol Problems, Policy & Practice

Minimum pricing six months on: too soon to tell?

NHS Scotland have published a briefing paper addressing what can be deduced about the impact of minimum unit pricing (MUP) since its introduction in May 2018.

Download 'Six months on from the implementation of MUP, what can we say about changes in alcohol sales in Scotland?' [pdf]

The short summary follows a number of recent media reports speculating on the impact of MUP in Scotland, though lead researchers have stated it is "too early to draw conclusions" after just six months. The briefing echoes this point and highlights complete findings will be reported in 2023, but NHS Scotland will continue to present trends in per-adult alcohol consumption in Scotland and England & Wales in annual monitoring reports as part of its evaluation framework. Details on a specific evaluation component of the impact of MUP on harmful drinkers has also been released this month.

HSE & alcohol death rates in 2017: deaths up, consumption down?

A coordinated release of new national data reports include the latest figures on alcohol-related deaths and self-reported consumption. The releases again highlight the important nuances behind headlines trends of rising deaths but of a downward trend in drinking, at least amongst younger drinkers.

Health Survey England (HSE) 2017

According to the latest HSE data, 63% of men and 52% of women reported drinking alcohol in the last week, with 19% of adults reporting not drinking in the last 12 months. Sixty per cent of adults drank at lower risk, that is within the 14 units per week CMO guideline, whilst 28% of men and 14% of women drank at either increasing or higher risk levels.

News & updates November 2018: MUP - Buckfast Vs Frosty Jacks?, TV ads ban?, treatment cuts, protecting children & more

Selected media stories since the October update:

News reports on Scotland's Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP), implemented earlier this year, have been telling various stories about its impact. The Herald led with a headline that a 'surge' in the notorious 'tonic wine' Buckfast had resulted from MUP, leading to criticisms of the policy. However the article states 'the reality appears to be more complex, however', pointing out that while Buckfast sales rose by around 17%, Frosty Jacks white cider sales 'slumped from an average of 240 a day in 2017 to around 24 per day in 2018', as also reported in the Scottish Sun.

'How we drink, what we think' - AHA report says public support further policy action

The Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA), an alliance of 50 non-governmental organisations, has released a new report exploring what people think about alcohol, the risks associated with drinking, and what they would like to be done to address alcohol-related harms.

The report comes as a new national alcohol strategy is being developed, with health groups calling for it to follow the evidence as many may consider Scotland's new alcohol strategy having done.

IAS Alert November 2018: eighth European Alcohol Policy Conference, online advertising, MUP & more

The latest Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) Alcohol Alert: November 2018 is now available (here for PDF version). Read the editorial here and articles below:

• COVER STORY – Scottish Government announces new alcohol policy framework
• ASA crackdown on online ads
• Government launches airside alcohol consultation
• Alcohol treatment in 2018: PHE inquiry explores continued falls
• Alcohol most misjudged drug when it comes to harm
• Ireland: All I want for Christmas is MUP