News In Depth
- 15 February 2012, 12:32
Liver disease 'epidemic' warning
Consultants have warned that Britain faces an "epidemic" of liver disease caused by a binge-drinking culture and cheap alcohol.
The consultants, mostly liver specialists and gastroenterologists, said in an open letter to the Government that alcohol sold at "pocket money prices" had created "an excessively pro-alcohol culture" targeted at the young.
They demanded new curbs on alcohol advertising in the December letter, printed in The Guardian newspaper.
Balance, the north east of England's alcohol office, added its voice to the consultants' call, demanding a stop to the alcohol industry recruiting the next generation of problem drinkers.
It said children were "swimming through 40% proof advertising" and were being encouraged to start drinking younger, and to drink more.
A decade ago, it was unusual for a liver specialist to treat anyone for alcoholic cirrhosis who had not reached their 50s, the consultants said.
"Alarmingly, this is no longer the case. In the North East we are in the middle of an epidemic.
"It is clear we need to halt this epidemic in its tracks, otherwise we will soon be treating young men and young men and women in their 20s on a regular basis for a disease that is 100% preventable."
Ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said Ofcom and the ASA had strengthened the alcohol advertising rules.
A spokesman said: "We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the UK's regulatory regimes to ensure that there is sufficient protection for the public."
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hamish kay
11:20am on 16/2/2012
the duty more than supports the economy and costs. nhs gets it's money largely in part from duty. in russia putin told russians "drink your way out of recession". end result people are killed off early and there are fewer ppl to look after, employ, house. in a day of automation/computerisation that is sensible policy. ppl have a choice drink or don't drink. end benefits culture where most of the serious drunkards in my experience hide. dont recognise alcoholism as an illness. we are overpopulated and some ppl have very little to do which is why they drink, unlike aussie, usa etc where they surf, go outdoors, ski, hike, camp etc. all northern europe drinks more than other countries it is lifestyle. politicians keep going on about binge drinking. it is not as bad as they make out. it is weekend fun for most.