Government response to alcohol inquiry criticised as too complacent
Thursday 18 March 2010
The government today released its response to the Health Select Committee's report on alcohol misuse.
Commenting on the government’s response, Don Shenker, Alcohol Concern Chief Executive, said:
“The Government’s response to the Health Select Committee’s inquiry into alcohol misuse is too complacent. While the Secretary of State correctly recognises the huge and costly problems caused by excessive drinking, the Government’s response fails to acknowledge the actions needed to drive down these harms. The seriousness of our current predicament is stark: one person dying from an alcohol-related problem every hour, a fivefold increase in liver disease over the last thirty years and only 1 in 10 people who need alcohol treatment getting appropriate support. For the government to say its current plans are sufficient flies in the face of the evidence.
“Whilst change cannot happen overnight – it certainly won’t happen if the government does nothing. Action on pricing, advertising and irresponsible promotions are the first step to reversing a drinking culture which has bought us to a point where average levels of teenage drinking is the equivalent of twelve and a half shots of vodka a week. The drinks industry will be delighted that Government are not planning any further action to independently monitor or regulate their practice.
Health professionals, police officers and youth workers up and down the country will be very disappointed that another chance to take further action on reducing alcohol harms has gone missing, leaving them to clean up a mess the government is unwilling to tackle.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
- Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, is available for interview. Contact Therese Lyras as above.
- The full text of the government’s response to the Health Select Committee can be downloaded from the TSO website .
- The Health Select Committee report can be downloaded from the UK parliament website .
- Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse campaigning for effective alcohol policy and improved services for people whose lives are affected by alcohol-related problems.
- Alcohol Concern is a membership body working at a national level to influence alcohol policy and champion best practice locally. We support professionals and organisations by providing expertise, information and guidance. We are a challenging voice to the drinks industry and promote public awareness of alcohol issues.