The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published its latest data on alcohol-related mortality rates in the UK.
Although there have been suggestions that the steady increase in alcohol-related deaths since the early 1990s was levelling out, the latest figures show alcohol related deaths in males to have increased in all age groups in 2008 compared with figures in 2007.
The rates of male death has more than doubled since the early 1990s with a steadier increase in the female death rates from alcohol-related causes.
The release of the ONS statistics coincides with the launch of the latest campaign from the Department of Health aimed at raising awareness of the unseen health harms caused by regular drinking of what many people mistakenly consider to be low level quantities.
The new campaign, specifically aimed at men and women between 25 and 55 who regularly drink what they consider to be low levels of alcohol, highlights the increased risks of developing serious conditions including cancers, heart disease and strokes. However, Alcohol Concern, has warned that education campaigns are insufficient, with greater evidence pointing towards a change in alcohol pricing as being a more effective way or reducing alcohol-related mortality.
Alcohol Concern’s Chief Executive Don Shenker said:
“As levels of consumption have increased over the last 10 to 15 years we have seen a huge rise in alcohol-related problems.
“These deaths and tragic and avoidable. They are all the more shocking by the government’s lack of action in tackling the cheap price of alcohol.
“There is a wealth of national and international evidence which shows that the cut-price booze, predominantly sold in supermarkets, is the main driver of increased drinking in the UK. Even the government’s Chief Medical Officer has recommended that minimum pricing should be introduced.
“We understand that such a measure would not be popular in an election year – but public health needs to come before politics.
“Evidence has shown that most people significantly underestimate the amount they drink [1] and this lack of awareness is storing up catastrophic health implications for the future.
“Alcohol Concern welcomes the launch of this new health campaign – but without tackling the issue of alcohol pricing we will continue to see mortality rates increase."
Alcohol Concern