OECD FIGURES SHOW "SHAMEFUL" LEVEL OF YOUTH DRINKING

Shameful figures show the UK has the highest rates and level of drunkenness among 13-15 years olds of any country in the OECD.

A report, issued today by the OECD states; “Drunkenness is the highest in the OECD, with one in three 13 and 15 year olds having been drunk at least twice.”

The report also exposes high teenage pregnancy rates in the UK.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson branded the details exposed in the report as shameful and called for support for Scottish Government proposals to introduce a minimum price for alcohol and to ensure licensing boards consider raising the age limit for off-sales of alcohol.

Mr Gibson said;

“The level of youth drinking across the UK is shameful.

“While this report covers the UK as a whole we know the level of youth drinking in Scotland is unacceptable and it can not be allowed to continue.

“There is a real and urgent need to tackle Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.

“The Scottish Government is setting out a radical approach to alcohol that will help to bring youth drinking under control.

“Ending pocket money prices for alcohol, where litres of cider can be bought for £3.00 is vital in addressing our problem with youth drinking.

“Similarly it is vital that local authorities are able to consider raising the age limit for offsales to 21 as one of a package of measures to stop underage sales and to tackle proxy purchasing - where older teenagers by alcohol for younger ones - if they think it is necessary.

“Ending teenage drinking and drunkenness requires bold steps. The Scottish Government is prepared to take action – it is for other parties to explain whether they will support them.”

ALCOHOL ACTION CAN IMPROVE DRINKERS KNOWLEDGE

PRICING EFFORTS WILL END UNKNOWN ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

The introduction of minimum pricing will help to end the problem of drinkers not knowing how much alcohol they are consuming.

A new study from market research firm Mintel shows that UK drinkers do not know how much alcohol they are consuming. This has become an increasing problem as drinks become stronger.

The research shows that despite drinking similar quantities of alcoholic beverages to previous years, the amount of alcohol being consumed has increased significantly as the alcohol content of wines and beers in particular has increased.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, who supports action to tackle Scotland’s alcohol problem said:

“It is clear that many people no longer know how much alcohol they are consuming as drinks get stronger and stronger.

“Many people will be going over the recommended level for alcohol consumption without knowing it – not only having consequences for their health but potentially for their safety.

“The Scottish Government’s proposal for minimum pricing will make it far easier for consumers to know the alcohol content of their drink.

“The more expensive the beer or cider the more alcohol it contains. With products such as wine or beer and ciders where the content may vary significantly this will help consumers make an educated choice. It will also bring an end to the days where litres of strong cider can be purchased for only a couple of pounds.

“At the same time I urge the UK Government to adopt the recommendations from the BMA and others to ensure the number of units of alcohol in a bottle or drink are clearly labelled on all alcoholic products.

“When alcohol content is not reflected in the price of products and the number of units are not explained on the label it is hard for consumers to make the responsible drinking choices we all want them to make.

September is the new January

English drinkers vow to cut back after holiday boozing

Drinkers in England drank an average eight alcoholic drinks every day during their summer holiday this year, a new survey from the Know Your Limits campaign revealed today.

With the typical summer break lasting ten days, that’s 80 alcoholic drinks over one holiday; 80 pints of beer is equivalent to 227 units, whilst 80 large glasses of white wine is 240 units. The NHS recommends women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day (around one large glass of wine) and men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day (two pints of beer)[1].

More than a quarter of holidaymakers (27%) admitted to the Know Your Limits campaign that they drank three times or more than usual whilst away this summer.

Though many drinkers chop and change their drinks on a night out on holiday, beer lovers consumed an average of five pints a day. Wine drinkers lapped up four standard glasses of wine each day, while spirit drinkers admitted to having five mixer drinks, such as vodka and coke, each day. Drinkers also admitted to downing four other alcoholic drinks, such as strong cocktails or shots each day.

As a result, September is looking like the new January across England, with holidaymakers vowing to cut back on their return this month:

· one in five people (19%) surveyed in the ICM poll pledged to take two days off drinking a week;

· 16% planned to stop drinking altogether between Monday and Thursday;

· one in five people (22%) are generally going out less; and

· 12% are having a completely dry month.

Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron said:

"It’s all too easy to slip into the habit of drinking too much on holiday. And it’s always hard to get back into a normal routine. But we should try to use September as the new January and make a pledge to be a little more healthy.

"Our survey showed that people across the country will be making a fresh start this September and are thinking about how they can change their drinking habits to get healthier.

"Sticking within the NHS's recommended daily limits means you reduce your risk of serious conditions such as liver disease, cancer and stroke."

Dr. Chris Steele MBE said:

“Most of us want to let our hair down on holiday and tend to drink more, as we socialise most nights without worrying about how we’ll cope with work the next morning. But, it’s worth taking a moment on your return to think about what you’ve been drinking in terms of your health. Take advantage of feeling relaxed post-holiday and commit to take care of yourself a bit more.

“Cutting back on alcohol for September is a great place to start; if you find yourself drinking all or most days of the week, start by taking at least two days off each week. It can benefit your skin and sleep, and in years to come you’ll have limited the risk of the damage you’d be doing to your internal organs each time you drank.”

The Know Your Limits campaign has created some top tips for those holidaymakers wishing to leave their holiday boozing behind and get into the habit of drinking less:

1. Have at least two alcohol-free days each week: not drinking at all on certain days is often easier than promising yourself you won’t have quite as many in the pub. Many people find Monday and Tuesday are the easiest days of the week to cut back. As time goes by and you’ve proved you’ve got the willpower, try adding Wednesdays as well.
2. Alternate with soft drinks: there’s nothing like an exotic pineapple juice or a fizzy orange drink to remind you of your holidays, so alternate your alcoholic drinks with a soft one to help you stay in control and cut back your overall intake.
3. Clock your starting time: if you regularly begin drinking early in the afternoon, it’s likely that you’re drinking too much. If you’re at home when you reach for your first drink, limit the amount of alcohol you have in the cupboards.
4. Focus on next year’s swimsuit! For those of you who came back vowing to look better on the beach next summer, cutting back on your alcohol intake is an easy way to cut out ‘empty calories’ from your diet. You’ll also be less tempted to reach for the snacks if you’re not drinking wine in front of the TV most evenings.
5. Cut down with a friend/partner: If there is one particular person you always drink with or only ever meet in the pub, suggest that you both cut down together and find alternatives to drinking for each other. Many people find this helps their own willpower and removes unnecessary temptation.

Over ten million adults in England regularly exceed the recommended daily limits, affecting their general day to day health, but also increasing their risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease and various cancers.

Regular drinkers keen to cut back on their intake and keep an eye on their drinking after the holidays should visit www.nhs.uk/units, where an interactive units calculator can help you keep track of how much you’re really drinking.

DON’T LOSE YOUR SNOOZE - CUT BACK ON THE BOOZE

Survey shows over half of drinkers unaware of link between alcohol and sleep problems

Drinkers across England are losing valuable sleep and disrupting vital brain functions without knowing that their boozing is the cause, new research for the Government’s Know Your Limits campaign has today revealed.

More than half (58%) of nearly 2,000 drinkers surveyed by YouGov did not realise that drinking above the recommended daily limits can cause sleep problems, with more men (63%) than women (53%) unaware of the link.

Almost half (45%) of those surveyed admit to experiencing tiredness the day after drinking over the recommended daily limits, but it seems many people don’t realise this could be due to alcohol interfering with their normal, restful sleep.

Public Health Minister, Gillian Merron said:

"Lots of people don't realise that drinking too much can disrupt your sleep, leave you dehydrated and unable to remember parts of your evening.

“On top of this, drinking too much can affect your longer-term health, putting you at an increased risk of liver disease, stroke and cancer.

"Our Know Your Limits campaign arms people with the facts about how many units are in their favourite drinks, to help them keep a check on how much they drink each day."

Did you know?

Alcohol can be a headache in various ways, including its impact on sleep:

· Too many loo breaks… Alcohol stops the brain from releasing an important chemical, called vasopressin, which normally regulates the amount of water in your body. This dehydrates the body and sends you running to the loo all night.

· Dehydration… Booze encourages too much water to be flushed out of your body which will dehydrate you, putting your body under strain and contributing to a headache that can stop you sleeping.

· Your brain can’t hurt... Whilst you may feel like your hangover headache is caused by your brain hurting, your brain actually can’t feel pain because it has no pain receptors. In fact, while the headache may feel as if the brain is banging against the skull, the pain is actually coming from the inner lining of the skull and the blood vessels.

Contrary to popular opinion dozing off after a couple of glasses of wine or passing out after a night of heavier drinking is not the start of a deep sleep. The Know Your Limits campaign reveals that drinking late in the evening before you go to bed is actually far more likely to prevent you getting the quality sleep your body needs. Instead, you could be upsetting your sleep patterns, encouraging dehydration, and altering the blood pressure of the brain, leaving you far from fresh the next day.

Jessica Alexander, spokesperson for the Sleep Council said:

“Although many people may feel alcohol helps them get off to sleep, it is also a major culprit for disrupting your night as it can interfere with the body’s chemical processes needed for sound sleep. Waking up deprived of the vital sleep your body needs will leave you feeling drained and, if experienced night after night, can seriously affect your health and wellbeing.”

The so-called ‘drinker’s false dawn’ is caused by the way alcohol disrupts the crucial ‘REM’ stage, which is essential for a deep, satisfying night’s sleep. Alcohol stops you reaching this stage early in the night, meaning your body has to catch-up later in the night. REM sleep is also believed to be important for the creation of memories, which is one reason why heavy drinkers can sometimes wake up unable to remember parts of their evening.

The NHS recommends women do not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day (a large 250ml glass of 12% wine is 3 units) and men do not regularly drink more than 3-4 units (a pint of 5.2% beer is 3 units). Over ten million adults in England regularly exceed these limits, affecting their general day to day health, but also increasing their risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, liver disease and various cancers.

Jessica Alexander added:

“If you find yourself drinking above the recommended daily limits most days of the week, your body may be constantly trying to catch up and then it’s likely you’ll never feel fully alert or equipped to deal with the stresses and strains of daily life.”

The chemical processes of sleep are not the only function of the brain that is disrupted by alcohol, according to neuroscientist Dr Barry Gibb, author of the Rough Guide to the Brain.

Dr Gibb said: “Anyone who enjoys alcohol knows that, after a few drinks, they start to need more frequent trips to the loo. But many don’t realise this is actually a sign that they are starting to dehydrate. This can seem strange when you’re taking on more liquid than normal, but what is actually happening is that alcohol stops the brain from releasing an important chemical, called vasopressin, which normally regulates the amount of water in your body.

“With this chemical turned off, your body starts misbehaving and gets rid of the liquid in your body more quickly than it should. Water makes up about 80% of the brain and is an essential element in keeping it working smoothly, so dehydration doesn’t just cause headaches but can put stress on all of the brain’s normal processes – not helpful at a time when the body is working extra hard to get rid of toxic chemicals.”

While some people in the YouGov survey thought alcohol makes the brain ‘swell’, ‘shrink’ or even ‘pickle’, Dr Gibb explains that this isn’t the case at all.

“People might be surprised that the brain itself cannot feel pain. While the thumping, pulsing hangover headache may feel as if the brain is pressing against the skull, the pain is actually coming from the inner lining of the skull which contains numerous blood vessels with all their associated pain receptors.”

Regular drinkers keen to cut back on their intake and get a better night’s sleep – and a happier brain – should visit www.nhs.uk/units, where an interactive units calculator can help you keep track of how much you’re really drinking.

Lansley warns "shocking" number of children addicted to alcohol and drugs

Andrew Lansley has accused Labour of neglecting a “forgotten generation of children” after it was revealed that 11,294 under-16-year-olds were treated for alcohol and drug dependency last year.

The Shadow Health Secretary, who uncovered the figures, called on the Government to take action to tackle the problem “before it’s too late”.

And he said it was a “sad indictment of our broken society” that so many children are turning to things like drug and alcohol abuse at such a young age.

The new information shows that in 2008:

• 6,075 under-16-year-olds were treated for cannabis dependency - with 102 of those under 12
• 4,005 children under-16-year-olds were treated for alcohol dependency - with 57 of those under 12
• 93 under-16-year-olds were treated for heroin dependency - with 10 of those under 12

Andrew said, “Tackling these problems has been low on (Labour’s) priority list and their irresponsible decision to roll out 24-hour drinking on our towns and communities has not helped.”

And he stressed that the NHS needs “a robust strategy” to improve public health – and that more must be done to tackle the wider causes of social breakdown.

YWCA'S RESPONSE TO ED BALLS' ALCOHOL CRACKDOWN

Whilst broadly welcoming the importance placed on early intervention measures as part of Ed Balls’ plan to tackle alcohol related antisocial behaviour, YWCA is concerned that a ‘get tough’ approach could produce a rebellious reaction among teenagers, and leave young women dangerously exposed to risk.

We know through our research that the current dispersal orders can lead to vulnerable young women ending up in unlit areas, such as parks, and expose them to risky situations. Until the wider issue of tackling the risible lack of facilities and root causes of young women’s drinking is addressed , there will be an over-reliance on punitive measures that label young people and won’t act as a deterrent.

Huhne: People caught selling alcohol to children let off lightly

Only seven people caught selling alcohol to children in 2007 were given the maximum fine, figures highlighted by the Liberal Democrats show.

The information, contained in a Parliamentary answer, shows that:

• No one was fined the maximum amount for selling or allowing the sale of alcohol to under 18s
• No one was find the maximum amount for persistently selling alcohol to children
• Only seven were fined the maximum amount for selling alcohol to children for consumption on the premises

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne said:

"The Government likes to talk tough, but these figures show people being let off lightly for selling alcohol to children.

"Rather than more posturing, ministers should enforce a strict policy to ensure those caught selling alcohol to children lose their licence."

Read more about the Liberal Democrat approach to alcohol licensing >>

(DH) Drinkers pile on the pounds

New stats reveal England's calorific alcohol intake

The average wine drinker in England now consumes around 2,000 calories from booze alone each month, new figures out today show. Over a year this is equivalent to 38 extra roast beef dinners or almost 184 bags of crisps.

Two fifths (42 per cent) of women surveyed by the Government's Know Your Limits campaign admitted they didn't know that a glass of white wine has the same calorie content as a bag of crisps. Two large glasses of white wine not only put a woman over the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption but - at approximately 370kcals - also provide her with nearly a fifth of her daily calorie allowance.

Similarly, two fifths of men (40 per cent) aren't aware that a pint of lager has as many calories as a sausage roll. A beer-drinker knocking back just five pints a week would add a whopping 44,200 calories over a year, equivalent to 221 doughnuts.

But additional calories don't just come from the alcohol consumed. More than one in three drinkers (37 per cent) admit they are likely to eat more than they usually would or ditch the healthy diet when drinking above their recommended daily limits. Almost one in three (29 per cent) drinkers order crisps, nuts or pork scratchings to accompany their booze, while 19 per cent regularly opt for a takeaway to grab a pizza, burger, bag of chips or kebab when drinking more than two pints of beer or two glasses of wine.

The new Know Your Limits figures also suggest that the 'morning after' sees us pack away yet more calories. Almost two thirds of drinkers (62 per cent) who normally eat a bowl of cereal or muesli for breakfast ditch it in favour of less healthy breakfasts to help them through their hangover. To settle their stomachs after drinking more than the recommended daily limits, over a quarter (28 per cent) turn to a fry-up, bacon or sausage sandwich, or takeaway breakfast from a fast-food chain. Swapping a bowl of cereal for a fry-up can add an extra 450 calories, on top of the alcohol calories consumed the night before.

Health Minister, Phil Hope said:

"Regularly drinking more than our recommended daily limits can have a knock on effect on our health - including an expanding waistline.

"It's not only the calories in the drinks themselves that can help to pile on the pounds, we're also more likely to eat fatty foods when we've had one too many. To avoid piling on the pounds we should try to drink within the recommended limits, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly."

Heather Caswell, spokesperson for the British Nutrition Foundation added:

"Many women don't know that two large glasses of white wine not only puts them over the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption, but also provides them with nearly 20 per cent of their daily calorie allowance, at approximately 370kcals in total.

"Most people would baulk at consuming a full glass of single cream, but wouldn't think twice about a couple of pints. But the calorie content is similar and, over time, excess alcohol intake is likely to lead to weight gain. Sticking to sensible drinking habits and keeping to the recommended units will not only help keep off those extra pounds but will also help decrease your risk of serious health problems, such as some types of cancer and liver disease."

The British Nutrition Foundation offers some top tips for minimising calorie intake:

* Stick to your daily recommended units: men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day; women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day. As an indication, a pint of lager (ABV 5.2%) and a 250ml glass of wine (ABV 12%) both contain 3 units of alcohol.

* Alternate an alcoholic drink with a glass of water - this will help to prevent you becoming dehydrated.

* Don't drink on an empty stomach. If you do reach for snacks while drinking, opt for a healthier option: choose a sandwich instead of crisps or chips; choose a chicken burger without mayonnaise instead of a kebab with garlic sauce.

* Drinking in rounds can mean you end up drinking more than you intended. Opt out and drink at your own pace.

* Try cutting down with a friend, as you'll be more likely to stick to it with moral support.

* Eat a healthy dinner before you start drinking. Order or cook before you start drinking so you're not tempted to go for the less healthy options.

* Pace yourself by taking small sips.

* Avoid 'binge drinking' - some people are under the misapprehension that they can 'save' their units to splurge at the weekend.

* If you're drinking white wine, why not add a splash of soda water to help the same number of units last longer?

(HMRC) Tobacco, Alcohol and Oils teams to target smuggling across UK

A new national network to target tobacco and alcohol smuggling was launched today.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has set up seven teams of officers around the country, with five more to be set up over the next three months. They will target smugglers and disrupt and dismantle the supply and distribution chains for illicit tobacco and alcohol within the UK.

They will also target the market in illicit fuel, including closing down fuel laundering plants where acids and chemicals strip the Government marker from red diesel.

The teams will complement the work of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), which focuses on preventing illicit tobacco and alcohol entering the country.

Illicit tobacco smuggling means that up to £3bn in tax is lost every year that would otherwise be spent on essential public services such as hospitals and nurses, the police, or schools and teachers, while spirits fraud alone costs the Exchequer around £250m annually.

John McManus, HMRC Specialist Investigations Operational Director for Structured Fiscal Attacks, responsible for Inland Detection, said:

"The new teams will pursue businesses or people involved in selling illicit tobacco, alcohol and fuel. Since 2000 HMRC has broken up more than 370 criminal gangs and prosecuted more than 2,000 people.

"Tobacco, alcohol and fuel smuggling creates a cheap and unregulated supply operated by and for criminals. Organised crime undermines honest businesses whose trade is damaged when smugglers undercut them by evading tax."

A large proportion of illicit cigarettes are made in backstreet factories with little or no quality control and have been known to contain things such as sawdust, tobacco beetles and even rat droppings. Illicit alcohol containing poisonous methanol can be harmful and even lethal. Adulterated fuel can seriously damage engines and the waste products of illegal fuel laundering, often found dumped by roadsides or in fields, are toxic and a fire hazard.

The Government's strategy of pursuing those involved in illicit tobacco products has slashed the criminal market since 2001/02 from 21 per cent to 13 per cent.

The new nationwide network will fight the supply of illicit tobacco and alcohol both in the formal retail sector and by wholly unlawful channels.

Those who are caught trading in illicit products will face a wider range of penalties and sanctions and a maximum seven years in prison, as well as confiscation of their stock.

Anyone with information about smuggled tobacco, alcohol or fuel should contact the secure hotline webpage at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs-hotline, call 0800 595000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

YWCA calls for more innovative solution to drinking problems.

"The Chief Medical Officer's suggestion to reduce over consumption of alcohol by increasing the price of alcohol is a start but only a small part of the solution." saye Sarah Payne, Chief Executive of YWCA. " There is some evidence that increasing the price of alcohol helps reduce drinking but why penalise moderate drinkers whilst at the same time not tackling the root cause? We understand that the Government needs to do more to reduce the problems associated with binge drinking. However, from our day to day work we believe that the root of binge drinking by young women is linked to them having low self esteem, confidence and self worth. To tackle this work needs to be carried out to build up young women's confidence, to help them develope skills, gain work which in turn will develope their sense of worth."

Sarah goes on to say "High quality education will also help by showing young people that alcohol can be addictive and heavy consumption of alcohol can often lead young women into unsafe situations such as unsafe sex and walking alone alone late at night."

She continues "Our research shows that young people get involved with alcohol for a number of reasons. Apart from low self esteem another is boredom, We therefore also call for more safe, interesting and secure places to go and things to do, especially in the evenings and at weekends."