September 2019
Think tank calls for reform to ‘irrational’ duty system
A new report from the Social Market Foundation think tank, funded by the Institute of Alcohol Studies, has called for wide-ranging reform to the alcohol duty system. The report, entitled ‘Pour decisions?’, recommends that:
- Products of the same strength should be taxed at the same rate
- Stronger products should be taxed at a higher rate
- Off-trade alcohol should face a higher rate of duty
The Social Marketing Foundation also called for an overhaul of the process by which alcohol duty is set. They suggested that alcohol duty should be automatically increased in line with inflation or earnings each year, and subject to an evidence-based review every 5-10 years.
Alcohol care teams
Globally three million deaths a year are caused by alcohol, and it is responsible for over 5% of global disease burden (as measured in disability adjusted life years). The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals include tackling alcohol under their health targets. A recent article (open-access), Alcohol care teams: where are we now?, by Dr Kieran Moriarty, provides a concise and comprehensive overview of the components of alcohol care teams, the evidence for them, and calls for their global adoption in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
Alcohol Awareness Week
11 – 17 November 2019
Over 2,000 GP surgeries, charities, pharmacies, Local Authorities and other groups have already signed up to take part in Alcohol Awareness Week, giving this the potential to be the biggest Alcohol Awareness Week ever. This year’s theme is ‘Alcohol and me’. The week will be an opportunity to highlight the impact that alcohol can have on our bodies, our lives and those we love. Alcohol Change UK will be sharing interactive resources to encourage people to act to reduce their risk or seek help if they need it.
Sign up now to receive free digital resources and campaign updates.
You can also help spread the word by tweeting or posting on Facebook about it today:
[We’re / I’m] taking part in #AlcoholAwarenessWeek 11-17 November 2019. Find out more, sign up for free digital resources and get involved now. https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/alcohol-awareness-week
A right to know – new alcohol and cancer campaign launches across Yorks and Humber
A new campaign warning of the links between alcohol and breast cancer and encouraging people to take more days off alcohol has been launched across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The Yorkshire and the Humber Alcohol Alliance has launched the Spot of Lunch campaign – the region’s first ever TV-led mass media campaign to focus on the health harms of alcohol.
The campaign is supported by Breast Cancer Now and has been delivered by Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, which originally developed the campaign. People are being encouraged to visit the campaign website.
Latest figures show one in seven UK females will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Any level of regular drinking increases the risks and Breast Cancer Now estimates drinking two units a day causes one extra woman out of every 50 to develop breast cancer. Rates of alcohol-related breast cancer are higher across Yorkshire and the Humber when compared to the average for England.
Research shows only around 1 in 3 people link alcohol to cancer, and recent research published in the BMJ found only one in five women attending breast clinics and screening appointments knew that alcohol is a risk factor.
Roads to Wellbeing
The roads to wellbeing community asset map is an online resource, showing what activities are going on in the local area. Following the principles of the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’, the map links directly to local activities and events that encourage people to connect, learn, be active, give and take notice of the environment around their own communities.
New Director of Research and Policy at Alcohol Change UK
Lucy Holmes has started as the new Director of Research and Policy at Alcohol Change UK, joining them from homelessness charity St Mungo’s.
Events
Alcohol marketing: protecting the vulnerable
The Institute of Alcohol Studies
16 October 2019, Friends House, Euston Road, London
The Institute of Alcohol Studies is running a 1-day conference on alcohol marketing. Topics include: protecting young people; regulating the online ‘wild west’; disrupting social norms: alcohol marketing; and gender, sport, and recovery. Register here or contact hkadiri@ias.org.uk.
Alcohol Awareness Week
Alcohol Change UK
11-17 November 2019
Alcohol Awareness Week is taking place from 11-17 November on the theme ‘Alcohol and me’. You can find out more and sign up to receive free resources here.
Alcohol and addiction: policies, strategies and competencies
Medical Council on Alcohol Symposium
13 November 2019, BMA House, London
This year’s MCA Symposium is taking place on the 13th of November 2019 at the BMA. The full day programme will cover the topic of alcohol and health from a number of perspectives, including the relationship between addiction and alcohol, educating medical students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, student mental health, training in addiction medicine and alcohol and the liver. Professor Nick Sheron is this year’s Max Glatt Memorial lecturer. Book here.
Men and Alcohol Seminar Series
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) and the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) are jointly hosting a series of seminars relating to Men and Alcohol, the upcoming dates are:
Men, Alcohol and Marketing – November 22, 2019 – London
Men, Alcohol and Health – January 24, 2020 – Edinburgh
Men and Alcohol: What’s Next – March 20, 2020 – London
The aim of these seminars is to bring together academics, health professionals, policy makers, media and members of the public to discuss with a critical perspective topics related to men and alcohol. The events are free of charge and open to all members of the public.
To learn more and register here.
Courses, Competitions, and Grants
The Innovation Fund
Change, Grow, Live
Ongoing
The innovation fund offers grants between £500 and £2500 for residents (aged 18+) or charities/not-for-profit groups looking to fund projects located within the boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.
Applications are welcomed from charities, voluntary or community group with an income of less than £100,000 per annum. The grant is available to support new and innovative ideas, but cannot be used to continue to fund projects that are ending.
The Big Lottery Fund has a number of useful documents on their website to help people plan their future projects. For more information email thealcoholservice.info@cgl.org.uk.
Spectrum Learn & Develop RCGP Certificate in the Management of Alcohol Problems in Primary Care L1
Spectrum Learn and Develop and RCGP
14 November 2019
Focusing on: identifying alcohol-related harm and harmful and dependent drinking; diagnosing the severity of alcohol dependence; understanding the treatment options; developing skills to treat problem drinking; and delivering enhanced services for problem drinkers. Book online or contact 01924 311405 or sld@spectrum-cic.nhs.uk for further information.