Sexual HealthRCP President Responds To Publication Of NHS Alcohol Statistics Compendium, UK
Responding to the figures contained in Statistics on Alcohol: England 2009, Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians said:
"The figures released today reflect the contradictions that characterise Britain"s relationship to drink. It is a welcome development that more people, on average, are drinking within the recommended limits. But this contrasts with fact that nearly half of all adults drink above the safe daily limits at least once a week, often above twice these levels. This paradox underlines the difficulties in understanding and seeking to change the drinking culture in the UK, because we are dealing with a heterogeneous population drinking in different patterns and for different reasons. Policies may need to reflect that diversity.
There are three measures that would help. The first is to ensure people have ready access to digestible information. It would cost virtually nothing extra to manufacturers to include the unit information on their containers, and do much to enable people to count their units. The second priority is to provide support for problem drinkers when they are seeking it. It is striking that nearly a quarter of people drinking more than eight units a day would like to drink less. Yet Britons with chronic alcohol dependency often face waits of up to a year to get on a treatment programme.
The third issue is to address the thorny issue of price. The pivotal role of increasing affordability of alcohol over the last few decades as a key factor in increasing consumption and harm has been yet again confirmed. In conclusion, these new figures on our nation"s drinking give us some signs of encouragement but also show us very clearly that the argument that it is a small minority spoiling it for the vast majority of responsible drinkers just won"t wash - let"s get some policy levers on price, availability and information in place, and also make sure that treatment facilities can be accessed by those in need."
Notes
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As well as being President of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor Ian Gilmore is also Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK.
Royal College of Physicians