Alcohol campaigners welcome the government's approach to public health

16th November 2004

Richard Phillips, Acting Chief Executive for Alcohol Concern, said:

?Alcohol Concern welcomes the Public Health White paper; we are pleased to see that alcohol misuse is finally being acknowledged as a key public health issue.

?Alcohol is the perfect example of the NHS patching up harm, but ignoring the opportunities for prevention. People with alcohol misuse problems tend to experience poor health, present to a range of NHS services and cost a staggering £1.7 billion in health spend each year; yet in the vast majority of these cases, the NHS fails to diagnose alcohol misuse and to provide adequate treatment.

?Whilst unit labelling on alcohol bottles is a first step, we need to be realistic that this will not by itself stop binge drinking and does nothing to help people who already have alcohol problems. If the government is serious about helping people with alcohol problems the commitment to improving treatment needs to be backed by money.

?Overall we are very pleased, but it is an extraordinary proposal to put responsibility for public health campaigns into the hands of a drink industry funded lobby group (The Portman Group). This should be the role of the Department of Health not industry?

ENDS

For more information contact Sophie Davison at the Alcohol Concern press office on 020 7928 7377.

For out of hours broadcast requests, contact Richard Phillips, Acting Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern on 07939 575 290.

Notes to editors

Alcohol Concern is the national agency working to reduce alcohol-related harm in society. We campaign for action on alcohol misuse, making recommendations to key policy makers and professionals. We also help develop the level and quality of alcohol services available to problem drinkers and their families.

ENDS


***Read AC's intial thoughts on the White Paper at http://www.alcoholconcern.org.uk/doc/867 ***

Date: 16 November 2004