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Binge-drinking Britain on verge of 'tsunami of harm'
Sophie Goodchild, Health Editor22 Jul 2008
Britain is on the verge of a "tsunami" of alcohol-related health problems, a senior doctor warned today.
The leader of the Royal College of Physicians spoke out as the Government officially blamed supermarkets and the drinks industry for fuelling Britain's binge-drinking epidemic.
Initial findings from a major study into the impact of cut-price deals on wine and spirits show a link between young people drinking to excess and their ability to buy cheap alcohol.
This is the first time experts have proven a direct connection between binge-drinking and alcohol promotions by supermarkets and bars.
The findings prompted the Government to threaten the drinks industry with tough new regulations. It currently operates under voluntary codes.
Experts from Sheffield University who carried out the research also warned that alcohol sold at pocketmoney prices was fuelling cancer and stroke cases as well as the divorce rate.
Professor Ian Gilmore from the Royal College of Physicians said: "The Government is understandably anxious about being seen as a nanny state. But unless they take action their own figures suggest we are moving towards a tsunami of health-related harm." Figures published today show bingedrinking costs the NHS £2.7billion a year, with more than 800,000 people being admitted to hospital with alcoholrelated problems - almost double the number of admissions four years ago.
The new calculations give a more accurate picture of the damage due to excessive drinking as previous estimates only counted more serious types of alcoholrelated disease such as liver cirrhosis.
The number of drink-related patient admissions in London, including eye complaints, blood disorders and even miscarriages, were the third highest in the country. Almost 100,000 last year were treated at London hospitals compared with just over 50,000 in 2002.
The capital is also the only place in the country where the rate of hospital admissions has been increasing, according to the findings from the North West Public Health Observatory.
Addiction expert Professor Mark Bellis, who lead the research, said: "We have to recognise the problems alcohol cause are not just related to people drinking. A lot of people end up in hospital because of other people drinking and there is also child abuse."
Ministers responded to criticism over their failure to tackle the industry by unveiling a raft of tough proposals.
The strategy includes banning drinks displays at checkouts, clampdowns on happy hours and separate areas in supermarkets for selling alcohol. Manufacturers will be given until the end of the year to put warning labels, advice and unit details on all cans and bottles. Public health minister Dawn Primarolo admitted voluntary codes were being ignored. She said: "Some sections of the industry are sticking to voluntary codes, others are ignoring them. Around a quarter of the population drink to a harmful level. These people could be drinking themselves into an early grave."
Another study by KPMG found that drinkers in pubs and shops were only asked to provide identification on six occasions out of more than 700 visits made by researchers.
