Alcohol Concern welcomes new report showing the true impact of alcohol misuse on Europe

1st June 2006

Alcohol Concern today welcomed a new report into the wide-ranging impact of alcohol misuse across Europe, which estimates that the total social cost of alcohol misuse is as high as that for tobacco.

The report, compiled by the Institute of Alcohol Studies for the European Commission, has also revealed that heavy drinking is the 3rd highest risk factor for ill-health, second only to tobacco and high blood pressure, responsible for more than 7% of disability and premature death within the European Union.

Srabani Sen, Alcohol Concern?s Chief Executive, said:

?This report paints a stark picture of the true impact of alcohol misuse across the European Union. Far too many lives are lost to alcohol misuse, and yet the evidence suggests that many of these deaths could be prevented if governments, including our own, took a few simple steps.?

The report estimates that using taxation to raise the price of alcohol by just 10% within the EU?s 15 wealthiest member states would save 9,000 lives within one year, as well as generating ?13bn (roughly £8.9 billion) in excise duty.

Srabani Sen added:

?We hope this report acts as a wake-up call to the European Union and to the governments of Europe. Alcohol misuse is one of the most widespread public health problems that we are facing, and yet across Europe far too little is being done to reduce the damage it causes and save lives.?

ENDS



Notes to Editors:

For all enquiries, please contact the Alcohol Concern Press Office on 020 7928 7377 or email press@alcoholconcern.org.uk. For out of hours press enquiries, please contact Helen Symons, Press and Parliamentary Officer, on 07866 063 013.
The report ?Alcohol in Europe: a public health perspective? was written by Dr Peter Anderson and Ben Baumberg, funded by a grant from the European Commission. It represents the views of its authors and not that of the Commission itself.


Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse. We work to reduce the incidence and cost of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems and their families.

Date: 01 June 2006