Minimum unit pricing linked to a 13% drop in alcohol deaths
It’s good news from Scotland, as the latest Public Health Scotland report on minimum unit pricing (MUP) found the policy to be effective in bringing down alcohol-specific deaths by 13.4% within 18 months of its introduction.
The study looked at deaths and hospitalisations wholly attributable to alcohol consumption and found that the effects were driven by significant improvements in chronic outcomes, particularly in alcohol-related liver disease. The greatest reductions were seen in the four most socioeconomically deprived deciles, indicating that MUP is positively tackling deprivation-based inequalities.
AHA chair Professor Sir Ian Gilmore said: ‘The Public Health Scotland study on minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland paints a very positive picture for the effectiveness of MUP. It strengthens the wealth of research already out there that shows MUP works to save lives, reduces pressure on the healthcare system and lessens the growing health inequality gap.’
In Wales, a survey by Alcohol Change UK (ACUK) found that the biggest impact of the 50p MUP on supermarket shelves continues to be the removal from the market of the largest containers of 7.5% cider. In their place, there appears to be an increased availability of 2 litre bottles of 5% cider and 500 ml cans of cider of varying strengths, suggesting that by adding more stages to any drinking occasion, MUP is likely to be reducing harm among some of the heaviest drinkers who often favour strong, cheap cider.
Alcohol and intimate partner relationships
The Alcohol and Families Alliance has published a new report looking at the experiences and needs of those affected by the drinking of an intimate partner, examining the negative effects drinking can have on a relationship.
The study found that drinking does not necessarily need to be frequent or dependent for it to have a damaging impact on partner relationships, causing conflict, tension and a breakdown in trust. The main reasons cited by respondents and interviewees for their partner’s drinking were life stage changes such as retirement or divorce. Over 40% of participants had not accessed any support at all, either because it was unavailable, or they were unaware it existed.
The report includes a series of recommendations for local services, policymakers and researchers. Read the full findings and recommendations here.
Campaigning in the north east of England
The north east has the highest rate of alcohol-related hospitalisations and deaths in England. Balance, the north east alcohol programme, works to reduce levels of harm in the region.
Following the Scottish consultation on alcohol advertising, Balance urged Westminster to follow suit and put people’s health and livelihoods ahead of industry profits. One campaigner, Karen, spoke out about her experiences with alcohol addiction, and how an alcohol ad contributed a trigger for a relapse in her recovery.
Balance has also been raising awareness in the area with their ‘alcohol causes cancer’ campaign, where currently only one-in-three know that alcohol is a carcinogen. This video shows how people on the streets of the north east reacted to the news.
To find out more about Balance’s work, read this blog by Sue Taylor (head of alcohol policy) on why alcohol harm is so high in the region – and how we can tackle it.
New Lancet series on the commercial determinants of health
A new, three-paper series from the Lancet entitled ‘People, profits, and health’ shines light on how businesses and business interests influence human and planetary health and equity.
The products of just four industries – tobacco, fossil fuels, ultra-processed foods and alcohol – are responsible for at least one-third of global deaths. In addition, influential companies use their wealth and power to shape regulations and policies in their favour.
These favourable policies allow them to promote products that damage health, weaken standards that protect health, and restrict access to products and services essential to health by charging inflated prices. All this can damage human and planetary health, creating a cost burden.
The authors call for significant, systemic change, including: restrictions on the marketing of harmful products; a commitment from businesses to stop lobbying against pro-health policies; improved rules on transparency to address conflict of interest and policymaking.
Workshop on alcohol evidence in policy and practice
Join SPECTRUM and the University of Stirling for a comprehensive workshop (9–11 May 2023) on alcohol evidence, public health policy and practice, taught by a range of world-leading academics and practitioners.
The 3-day conference is aimed at policymakers, charities, practitioners, and researchers working in public health, local and national alcohol policy, or those new to alcohol research or practice.
A list of confirmed speakers can be found on the SPECTRUM website, along with a draft programme. The deadline for early bird tickets is 21 April, and final registration closes on 25 April.
Events
Alcohol (injustice)
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
19 April 2023, 9.45am–3.30pm
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ
‘Availability is the poor cousin of marketing and pricing’: Qualitative study of experts’ views on policy priorities around alcohol availability
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems/Scottish Alcohol Research Network
19 April 2023, 12.45–2pm
Alcohol marketing to LGBTQ+ communities
Institute of Alcohol Studies
3 May 2023, 2–3pm
Alcohol evidence in policy and practice
SPECTRUM Consortium and University of Stirling
9–11 May 2023
Email Megan Cook (megan.cook@stir.ac.uk) with any queries
Alcohol marketing to LGBTQ+ people: Evolving strategies to target identity
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems/Scottish Alcohol Research Network
24 May 2023, 12.45–2pm
Gendered alcohol brand marketing in a changing world: Exploring the targeting and representation of women, and the implications
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems/Scottish Alcohol Research Network
20 June 2023, 12.45–2pm
Reshaping Scotland’s night-time economy: Public and stakeholder views on the changing role of alcohol post-COVID-19
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems/Scottish Alcohol Research Network
25 July 2023, 12.45–2pm
MCA annual symposium on alcohol and health
Medical Council on Alcohol
22 November 2023
Royal College of Physicians London, NW1 4LE
Registration info to follow.
Meet the members
Every month, we speak to a member of the AHA to find out more about what they do and how their organisation is working to end alcohol harm.
Today we meet Faye Sunter, recovery lead for Changing Lives, who has been with the charity for seven years.
How does your organisation help to reduce alcohol harm?
Changing Lives recognises the importance of connection and feeling a sense of belonging, which is a vital part of someone’s recovery journey. It is recognised that alcohol can not only cause physical harm, but can result in financial difficulties, emotional and psychological harm, isolation and loss, and can be exacerbated by a number of other complexities including mental health problems, homelessness and domestic abuse. By working with people to understand their individual priorities, we can in turn support them to reduce the harm alcohol is causing in their life. We do this through offering a wide range of interventions and utilising our theory of change known as ‘Being, becoming, belonging’ alongside our policy work, which allows us to keep up to date with emerging trends and change.
What inspires you most in your job?
Changing Lives works with a vast number of people who are facing social injustice to enable them to overcome the challenges they face. The thing that inspires me most about my job is seeing people make positive change in their life, no matter how big or small. The passion our staff have for enabling this change is inspiring and I love to see the innovation and constant reflection which takes place to make this possible.
What change do you think would make the biggest difference in reducing alcohol harm?
Alcohol is often used as a coping strategy by people to overcome challenges they face. I strongly believe that the social injustice people face exacerbates the impact of alcohol and the overall harm caused. By facilitating people to reconnect, increasing their support networks and coping strategies, we can begin to change attitudes around the impact of alcohol and support people to make positive change. Coupled with easy access to preventative support, treatment, and brief interventions, this could make a positive difference to the levels of harm caused by alcohol.
