Alcohol Policy UK

PHE, Drinkaware & public policy: reaction and debate continues

In the weeks since Public Health England (PHE) announced its partnership with Drinkaware for the 'drink free days' campaign, it has faced widespread criticism. The extent of the concern may have taken some, including PHE, by surprise. However, the fact it has raised the profile of debates about industry-Government partnerships may be seen by critics as an important repercussion.

An open letter expressing concern about the partnership has now been released, calling on UK public health scientists to sign and support its calls for PHE to “work with your Alcohol Leadership Board to formulate and publish guidelines for engagement with the alcohol industry and its associated organisations”. The letter argues the decision has led to significant “reputational risk to PHE’s status as a provider of impartial, evidence-based advice” and its authors are “alarmed by public statements from PHE” in response to concerns raised.

Alcohol labelling 'failing consumers' says Alcohol Health Alliance

The Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) have launched a 'right to know' campaign calling for an end to the self-regulation of alcohol labels which it says is currently 'failing consumers'.

The campaign follows a review of 320 alcohol product labels across 12 UK locations which found 'only 24 labels out of 320 informed consumers of the Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) low-risk weekly guideline of 14 units, more than two and a half years after the guideline took effect.'

'Massive' study supports unit guidelines - where next for consumer messaging?

A new study on alcohol consumption risk levels based on almost 600,000 drinkers has been published in the Lancet, reporting the risk of early death from drinking begins to rise at a level above 100g of alcohol per week (12.5 units).

The findings, which cover 19 countries, can be seen to add weight to the Chief Medical Officer's recommended guideline of not regularly drinking more than 14 units per week, revised in 2016 and since subject to ongoing debate. The issue for many in the alcohol field though remains how best to communicate drinking guidelines and associated risks. Whilst most ultimately support the goal of informed decision making, the real world complexity of alcohol harms and how drinkers take note of - or indeed dismiss - alcohol-related messages leaves many ongoing questions over how to make use of such evidence.

News & updates February 2018: pricing, Baclofen, admissions & new UK Hospitality industry body

Selected media stories since the January roundup: 

"Hazardous or harmful" drinkers must get the help they need if minimum unit pricing is introduced, Alcohol Concern Wales has said as the Welsh Government seeks to follow Scotland with a minimum 50p unit price in law. "I think we've known for quite sometime a lot of the alcohol in this country is consumed by those where alcohol is a problem not a pleasure" said, Andrew Misell, director of Alcohol Concern Wales. BBC

Three million plan for Dry January 2018: a boost for public health?

New figures from a survey commissioned by Alcohol Concern suggest over 3 million people in the UK are planning to give up alcohol over January.

In recent years we have reported on the rise of Dry January and other 'sober sprint' campaigns. This month Alcohol Concern encouraging drinkers to sign up and potentially experience a number of reported benefits such as saving money, having more energy or losing weight.

Alcohol Awareness Week 2017 kicks off in week of MUP decision

Alcohol Awareness Week (AAW) 2017 has now kicked off, aiming to prompt conversations about the impact of alcohol and this year 'to help break the cycle of silence and stigma that is all too often experienced by families'.

The week coincides with notice from the Supreme Court that the final verdict on Scotland's long running Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) battle will be announced at 9.45 on Wednesday morning (watch it live here). [EDIT: see here for the outcome report]

IAS Alert October 2017: parental drinking, MUP, Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2017, SBI manual & more

The latest Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) Alcohol Alert: October 2017 is now available (here for PDF version). Read the editorial here and articles below:

• Report highlights childrens’ anxiety about parents’ drinking
• Wales introduces minimum unit price for alcohol
• GAPC2017 – Mobilising for change
• AA Ireland welcomes tougher drink-drive rules
• Most drivers want a lower drink-drive limit
• Alcohol-related deaths will go uncounted in new UK scheme
• Politicians pledge to ‘Protect the Protectors’
• Alcohol a driver of suicides in Armed Forces
• Licensing figures 2017: premises called to review – why the decline?
• Wealth gap remains among Scots drinkers
• Nurse-led service can reduce alcohol-related harm
• WHO Europe launches SBI training manual
• SHAAP launches guidance for treating ARLD

Drink drive figures: cause for concern in 2017?

Further attention on the national drink driving limit in England and Wales has been prompted by a rise in the number of people seriously injured in drink drive accidents, whilst a recent RAC survey reports most people support a lowering of legal limit.

The statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT) show 1,170 serious injuries in reported drink drive accidents in 2015, up from 1,070 the previous year, which follows reports of a rise in failed road side breath tests in the same year. Whilst drink drive related fatalities fell by 40 to 200, the DfT says only the injury figures had statistical significance with the trend in number of deaths appearing stable since 2010.

Are universities failing to act on heavy drinking?

A recent Telegraph article reported universities are doing little to address drinking as thousands of Freshers' week events and parties kicked off the new academic year. The article was published following comments by a vice-Chancellor that "many universities turn a blind eye to excessive drinking, believing that what students choose to do with alcohol, and indeed drugs, is none of their business".

Sir Anthony Seldon, vice-Chancellor of Buckingham University, made the charge in a report on the concept of a ‘positive university’, in which he also stated that universities should “no longer be allowed to continue with this permissive approach” to excessive drinking. To help address heavy drinking norms the report proposes alternative activities for students including various relaxation and wellbeing focused activities such as mindfulness, which has been shown to reduce drinking.

Are UK universities turning a blind eye?

Alcohol Awareness Week 2017, 13-19 November: ‘Alcohol and Families’

Alcohol Concern have announced this year's Alcohol Awareness Week (AAW) will take place from 13-19 of November on the theme of 'Alcohol and Families'. The charity, which has recently merged with Alcohol Research UK, has partnered with Adfam, a charity that supports families affected by drugs and alcohol.

As with previous years, Alcohol Concern hope AAW will prompt conversations about the impact of alcohol, this year 'to help break the cycle of silence and stigma that is all too often experienced by families'. This may also help people access services or support either directly or via signposting from professionals.