RCP/UK AHA comment on DH alcohol initiatives

Tuesday, 22 July 2008 12:00 AM

The Royal College of Physicians and the Alcohol Health Alliance have welcomed the Government's proposals for tougher control on the drinks industry and the publication of evidence about the serious threat to health posed by alcohol.

Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Chair of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance said:

"I'm delighted that the Government recognises the failure of voluntary agreements with the drinks industry over a decade and is prepared to tackle irresponsible behaviour around the sale and promotion of alcoholic drinks.

"It is also excellent that international evidence on the importance of price and promotion on alcohol-related health damage has been confirmed in the latest Department of Health-commissioned report, giving a clear way forward. We now urge Government to act on deep discounting and below-cost selling of alcohol.

Now that we have better ways of measuring alcohol-related health problems, we can see that the incidence has risen 20% year on year - no other medical condition has risen so quickly

"The Royal College of Physicians and the UK Alcohol Health Alliance will be pleased to work with the Government to bring about the long overdue reversal of escalating health damage from alcohol."

Professor Ian Gilmore is in the office today and available up until 3.30 pm for interview.
Best wishes
Linda

Linda Cuthbertson
PR Manager
Royal College of Physicians
11 St Andrews Place
Regent's Park
London NW1 4LE
Tel: 020 7935 1174 ext.254, 0794 105 7494

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