Alcohol Help

New study shows higher taxes reduced alcohol-related disease mortality

Raising taxes on beer, wine and liquor immediately reduces the number of deaths from alcohol-related diseases such as liver disease, oral or breast cancers, and alcohol poisoning, according to a new study published in the online edition of the American Journal of Public Health.

In the first study of its kind to directly measure the effect of state alcohol tax changes on deaths from alcohol-related diseases, researchers found that raising alcohol taxes had two to four times the impact of other common prevention efforts such as school programs or media campaigns.

"The findings are quite astounding," said Alexander C. Wagenaar, PhD, with the University of Florida College of Medicine. "A simple adjustment of the tax rate resulted in a substantial drop in the death rate." The study was funded by the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Researchers reviewed two separate tax increases on alcoholic beverages in 1983 and 2002 in Alaska, and tracked the number of people who died from alcohol-related diseases in the state for years before and following the tax hikes.

Alaska is one of the first states to implement a noticeable tax increase, which is one of the reasons the authors decided to examine it. In 1983, Alaska’s tax on beer increased to 63 cents per gallon, compared to 46 cents in 1982, and increased to $1.20 in 2002.

"Alaska was cognizant of its alcohol problems and decided do something meaningful. We are now benefiting from the results of their unique experiment which shows what other states could gain if they were to implement a similar tax increase," Wagenaar said.

Compared to all other states and factoring in nationwide trends—due to improved health care and other factors—the authors discovered that the 1983 tax increase was immediately followed by a 29 percent reduction in deaths (23 deaths averted per year), and the 2002 tax increase reduced the number of deaths by 11 percent (an additional 21 deaths averted per year). In addition, the authors found that the impact of the tax increase did not quickly dissipate, but remained over the long-term.

"The bottom line is that when we see an intervention that can reduce the death rate of any chronic disease such as cancer or heart disease by a few percent across the whole population, we consider it an important success," Wagenaar said. "In this case, the death rate for alcohol-related diseases dropped suddenly by at least 11 percent and at minimal cost."

One of the biggest problems with alcohol taxes in general, he said, is the way that alcoholic beverages are currently taxed in most states and at the federal level. Most states implement tax rates on beer, wine and spirits by the gallon. As a result, the real dollar amount drops over the long term since the taxes are not adjusted for inflation each year. While many states and the federal government have made minor adjustments to their tax rates, nationwide the average real dollar tax amount on alcohol has dropped substantially since the 1950s.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Birmingham has admitted it has a drink problem, according to the latest survey results from the West Midlands Big Drink Debate campaign. Early results show that 66% of respondents answered ‘yes’ when asked if they thought the city had a problem.

People who live and work in the region have one month left to come forward and let us know their opinions about the drinking habits of the West Midlands. Once the survey has been completed, the information will be presented to Government Departments and will be used to develop a more informed regional alcohol strategy.

Other results to come out of the survey included an almost even split over the question of whether the drinking age in the UK should be raised to 21. 49% were in favour of the move.

When asked about measures to control access to alcohol, 39% of respondents also thought alcohol was too cheap in the UK with only 18% in favour of increasing tax on drinks. Just over 49% were also against putting cigarette-style health warnings on bottles and cans.

However, when it comes to a change in the drink driving laws, six-out-of-ten people want to see the blood alcohol limit cut from 80mg to 50mg.

Dr Jammi Rao, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health said:

"These results show the people of Birmingham do have concerns about the amount of alcohol that is consumed. But while these concerns do exist, people do seem to appreciate the dangers involved. Three quarters of people know what one unit of alcohol is, and people’s drinking habits seem to generally be in moderation, with 74% of people drinking once or twice a week, or even less.

"What was interesting were nearly two thirds of people wanting to see the drink drive limit cut, showing the campaigns are working and that people are taking this message seriously."

The challenge now is to get as many people as possible involved in the ongoing debate – log onto http://www.bigdrinkdebate.co.uk to complete the short survey, join the online forum and play the game.

Dr Rao added:

"Anti-social behaviour, crime, health and the cost to the NHS, drink driving and absenteeism are all major issues that can have their roots in alcohol misuse. We’re trying to build up a picture of which of these concerns the public the most, so we can put help in place to deal with it.

"If Birmingham does have a drink problem, it will ultimately affect all our lives and that’s why we are urging the public to get involved."

Department of Health

As part of its national public education campaign, “Alcohol: how much is too much?” The Drinkaware Trust, an independent UK charity that aims to reduce alcohol harm, has turned its focus on Northern Ireland.

With more and more people choosing to drink in the comfort of their own home the campaign is encouraging people to access their drinking habits by either looking at their recycling bins or how often they visit a bottle bank.

Derek Lewis, Chairman of The Drinkaware Trust, said: “Drinking in the home can lull us into a false sense of security because we simply fail to take note of the amount we consume. With this campaign we’re encouraging everyone to use the evidence of the cans and bottles in their recycling bins to gauge whether or not they’re overdoing it. ”

Recent NI statistics reveal that, even though it appears that Northern Ireland is behind the rest of the UK regarding alcohol related deaths, since 1991 there has been an increase of over 75% alcoholic related deaths.

Research has also revealed that nationally 81% of the population is still unaware of the recommended unit guideline. Meanwhile in Northern Ireland:

* 20% 18 + males drink 21-49 units a week
* 10% 18 + females drink 14-34 units a week
* 14% all persons drink 21-49/14-34 units a week

Derek Lewis further added: “You can still enjoy drinking at home but what our campaign is saying is reflect on your intake in relation to the government’s recommended unit guideline – 2-3 units a day for women ( a 175ml glass of wine) and 3-4 units a day for men (2 pints of lager). There is a tipping point – if you’re regularly drinking 35-50 units a week – then you’re at risk of irreversible damage to your health and chronic disease.”

Drinkaware

Twenty of the areas worst hit by alcohol misuse are to receive support as part of a new programme which will help the local health service better identify and intervene with those at risk, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo announced today.

Speaking at the National Alcohol Conference in Nottingham, Ms Primarolo announced a new, wide-reaching Alcohol Improvement Programme to accelerate progress on reducing alcohol-related harm.

The new programme, backed by £6 million will:

* establish regional alcohol managers to push forward alcohol treatment and advice at a local level;
* pull together local information on statistics, hospital admissions and medical conditions to help treatment commissioners;
* help increase access to specialist treatment – there is currently just one place for every 18 people who show signs of dependence; and
* push out simple advice which, nationally, could help 250,000 men and 70,000 women to bring their drinking down to lower risk levels.

The twenty areas are some of the most deprived in the country and are most seriously affected by alcohol-related harm. Reducing alcohol problems is key to reducing inequality – these areas will be the first to take bold steps and get to grips with the problem.

An additional £1 million will fund a new Alcohol Learning Centre and support activities. The programme will draw together best practice and success from each of the 20 areas so other local health services can learn from the programme.

Ms Primarolo said:

"More than a quarter of adults in England drink above Government guidelines and around 15,000 people die because of alcohol every year. We clearly have a serious problem that needs urgent attention.

"Starting with the most deprived areas in inequality hotspots, we are going to roll out a new programme which will identify and help drinkers who are at risk. For every pound spent on alcohol intervention, five pounds are saved by the public purse – so this is money well spent."

Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, said:

"Problem drinkers have faced a postcode lottery for services for far too long. This new injection of cash is most welcome for the areas worst affected by alcohol misuse and all areas will benefit from improved information and guidance. Slowly, but surely, local areas are now being provided with the tools they need to invest in alcohol treatment, the challenge will be for them to convert this into services on the ground for those who need it most."

Department of Health

Underage drinkers caught out in Kirklees are soon to be given two choices: attend a course on the impacts of alcohol, or face an ASBO.

From Friday (7/11) officers from Huddersfield NPT will be targeting areas that are known to suffer from anti-social and nuisance behaviour caused by underage drinkers. Officers will also be carrying out high-profile visits to local pubs and clubs and taking action against both underage drinkers and any licensees serving them.

Any under-18′s caught drinking in the streets will be taken home to their parents and offered the opportunity to go on the alcohol impact course. Those that refuse will be dealt with via more formal methods and face being arrested or subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

The alcohol impact course, the first of which is expected to run in mid-December, will involve police and partners from the NHS Primary Care Trust, Fire Service and Council agencies such as Kirklees Safer Stronger Communities, Licensing and Youth Workers.

Sgt Adrian Waugh of Huddersfield Police, who is organising the courses said: "Anti-social and nuisance behaviour caused by underage drinkers can cause considerable upset and concern in communities. We are determined to respond to peoples’ concerns and take positive action to tackle the issue."

"We see these courses as a good way of trying to educate young people against the dangers of alcohol. We want people to hear first-hand from experts about the effects alcohol can have on people and places."

Inspector Dave Glover who runs the licensing team across Kirklees said: "Whilst I am responsible for enforcement I welcome the opportunity to educate local children on the dangers of alcohol. I see the scheme as a natural fit in our efforts to deal with alcohol related anti social behaviour and in preventing children becoming a victim as a result of being under the effects of alcohol. "

"My team and other members of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be out and about this weekend and in the run up to Christmas seizing alcohol and obtaining details of those children with alcohol to make referrals on to the scheme. I will also be increasing test purchase operations on both off and on licences and any offenders under the age of 18 years will be referred to the scheme regardless of whether they are prosecuted or not."

Cllr Khizar Iqbal, Kirklees Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder For Safer and Stronger Communities, said: "I welcome these new measures to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. Agencies are working together to promote a responsible attitude to alcohol and minimise the harmful effects of excessive drinking so that Kirklees residents are safer and healthier."

Watch Manager Chris Bell of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are proud to be involved in such an inspiring project. The course will look at accounts of incidents that have involved young people and alcohol in the area with devastating effects. We will discuss ways that they can avoid getting into dangerous situations which could result in them becoming a casualty or causing an accident.”

“The courses are about getting young people thinking and making informed decisions which could prevent accidents happening in the first place.”

West Yorkshire Police