Deaths from alcohol at record high in England
There has been “a catastrophic rise” in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England over the past four years, government figures suggest.
More than 8,200 people died because of alcohol in 2023 – a 42% rise on 2019 – with the North East having the highest rates.
Analysis by the Institute of Alcohol Studies suggests 55-74-year-olds “are now the heaviest-drinking age group”, which it says could be driving current trends.
The Alcohol Health Alliance UK says alcohol consumption could be reduced if a minimum price for each unit was introduced, as in Scotland.
In Scotland, where alcohol-specific death rates have always been higher, there were 1,277 deaths from alcohol in 2023, external – the same as the previous year.
The Alliance says minimum unit pricing of alcohol in Scotland, introduced in 2018, “has proven effective in reducing alcohol-related harm”.
The minimum cost of a unit of alcohol there has risen from 50p to 65p in recent months. This means no alcoholic drink can be sold for anything below this price.
The government says it’s unacceptable that alcohol deaths are at record high levels and it will prioritise public health in its 10-year plan for the NHS in England.
Critics of minimum pricing say that serious drinkers will continue to buy alcohol and simply cut back on other things. They say it’s unfair on those who drink responsibly, particularly those on low incomes.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said there had been an unwillingness to lead on issues such as alcohol harm, smoking and obesity “for too long”.
“It is unacceptable that alcohol deaths are now at record high levels.
“Our 10-year health plan will shift the focus of the NHS from sickness to prevention. This means prioritising public-health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.”
Source: BBC
- Categories: Alcohol/Ent/LNR, National News
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