Alcohol Policy UK

Findings bulletins: education evidence, Scottish drug & alcohol strategy, treatment & recovery lessons

Recent bulletins from the Findings drug and alcohol bank: 

Alcohol harm reduction education gains credibility in UK

Trialled in schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland, an alcohol harm reduction curriculum for secondary schools plus a parental component led to fewer pupils drinking heavily at a single sitting. Bolstered by this study, school programmes aiming to reduce harm rather than prevent drinking per se now have a limited but relatively good research record in the UK.

A new strategy for Scotland: ‘rights, respect and recovery’

Already credited with being the most closely aligned of UK nations with evidence-based recommendations, Scotland’s new strategy on alcohol and other drugs isn’t afraid to stray into value-driven territory. Eschewing messages about ‘personal responsibility’ in favour of respect and dignity, the Scottish Government frames substance use as an urgent human rights and public health issue.

Alcohol Change UK launched as new national charity to reduce alcohol harm

The new charity formed as a merger of Alcohol Concern and Alcohol Research UK has ben announced as Alcohol Change UK. The charity says its vision is 'a world free from serious alcohol harm' and launches its new profile as Alcohol Awareness Week 2018 kicks off.

As part of the launch, the charity has released the Alcohol Change Report, which makes the case for 'change being not only needed, but possible'. The report sets out the charities approach to 'alcohol harm and how we will work with government, public bodies, organisations, charities and individuals to reduce it', and states it has three core values in doing so: 'Truthful: we seek and tell the truth', 'Compassionate: we care deeply about everyone seriously harmed by alcohol, whoever they are', and 'Ambitious: we are optimistic and determined'. Setting out how change happens, the report covers a number of key areas including:

Findings bulletins: IBA in primary care update, MUP impact on low income groups, licensing outcomes, sexual minority harms

Recent bulletins from the Findings drug and alcohol bank: 

Review finds that brief alcohol advice in relatively normal primary care practice reduces drinking

Update of a key document forming the basis of claims that brief interventions work in ‘real-world’ settings. Combined findings from randomised trials confirm that brief advice in primary care can reduce drinking; now the issue is whether in normal practice those benefits will be realised on a grand enough scale to create public health gains.

Could low income areas experience the greatest health benefits of a minimum pricing policy?

Youth drinking in decline: who, why & where next?

A new report examining the decline in youth drinking since the turn of the century has been released as part of a new four-year study which aims to examine the patterns and causes of the decline in youth drinking.

Whilst based on previously released data, it brings together the Smoking Drinking and Drug Use amongst Young People in England surveys (SDD) and Health Surveys for England (HSE) findings 'to present the most comprehensive picture to date of the downturn in alcohol use among young people aged 8 to 24'.

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.

Major study re-ignites 'no safe level' drinking debate

The question of moderate drinking and health returned to the headlines with a vengeance following the publications of a major study in the Lancet using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016.

The review, which used 592 studies including 28 million people worldwide to study the health risks associated with alcohol, concludes that any possible protective effects of moderate drinking are outweighed by its adverse effects on other aspects of health, particularly cancers.  

Moderate drinking 'j-curve' headlines return with new dementia study

The latest set of headlines pronouncing the health benefits of moderate drinking have followed the publication of a new BMJ study examining the association of alcohol consumption and dementia risk.

The latest study found as expected, dementia risk was increased amongst those regularly drinking above the recommended guidelines of 14 units per week, but also amongst abstainers. Notably, the increased risk was only shown for those who abstained from wine, though as some noted, wine may act a proxy for uncontrolled socio-economic status.

Findings bulletins: brief advice, prevention, baclofen, acupuncture

Recent bulletins from the Findings drug and alcohol bank:

Delivered in under 10 minutes, are ultra-brief interventions effective?

The hectic and fast-paced environment of the emergency department is not always considered conducive to even a brief alcohol intervention. While in principle further shortening the time of the intervention would make delivery more feasible, on important patient outcomes an effective ultra-brief intervention in this setting has yet to be found

Preventing alcohol- and tobacco-exposed pregnancies

In the USA the CHOICES Plus trial tested a bundle of ‘pre-conception’ services for risky drinking, smoking, and ineffective contraception. Significant reductions in the risk of pregnancies exposed to alcohol and tobacco suggest the package may be feasible and effective, but would it transfer to the UK context?

News & updates June 2018: airports, teenagers, U-shaped curves, consumption & more

Selected media stories since the May roundup:

A forthcoming consultation on how alcohol is sold at airports has been reported. With increasing numbers of alcohol-related problems on flights and at airports over recent years, calls have been made to review the licensing exemptions at airports. A Home Office spokesperson said: “We will issue a Call for Evidence to assess the impact that an extension of the Licensing Act to airside premises at airports in England and Wales could have on reducing alcohol-related disruptive passenger behaviour.”

The “smoke and mirror” tactics of defence lawyers in drink-driving cases have been criticised by the government’s forensic science regulator, who has launched an investigation into the work of a number of expert witnesses. Guardian

IAS Alert June 2018: MUP in Wales, labelling, cancer, research & more

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

• COVER STORY – Welsh Assembly passes MUP
• Texts fail to moderate binge drinking
• Holyrood to make ‘wholesale’ changes to MUP
• Andriukaitis on labelling – consumers have a right to know
• Alcohol and cancer awareness link needs prompting
• Time To Deliver in 2018
• Abstinent workers off sick more than moderate drinking ones
• New tech gets tough on drink-drivers
• French support alcohol price rise to boost health
• Cancer risk lowest for light alcohol drinkers
• MESAS: weekly alcohol sales exceed guidelines
• Irish alcohol bill passes committee stage
• Canada: Committee calls for content, labelling, and marketing restrictions
• ALCOHOL SNAPSHOT – How heavy drinking varies by income