RCP comment on Health Committee Alcohol strategy report

I particularly welcome the Committee’s recognition of the insidious and pervasive health damage from chronic use – they have clearly listened to the voice of medical bodies to conclude that it’s not just about young people binge drinking but the chronic health harms that affect many people in the UK.

I am pleased to see the Committee’s support for setting a minimum unit price for alcohol and agree that the price should be set at a level that is shown to be effective, and that  a clear process is needed for monitoring and adjusting the price over time. We will continue to seek a minimum unit price of at least 50p per unit of alcohol.

We also welcome the Committee’s emphasis on the cost-effectiveness of interventions, the important role of alcohol specialist nurses, and the call for tougher measures on advertising. We support looking at whether some form of the measures used in France, such as a ban on sports events advertising, could be applicable in England. But we are disappointed they didn’t call for a review of the overall regulatory structures and I’d also like to see more done to tackle the growing problem of marketing through digital, online and social media – to reduce children and young people’s exposure.

As the Committee says, it’s time that the alcohol industry acknowledges the power of its advertising messages and accept responsibility for their consequences. We need a clear Government commitment to an independent evaluation of the Responsibility Deal and a timetable for reviewing progress and detail of the action that will be taken if outcomes are not achieved.

Visit the Health Committee web pages to download the report

For further information, please contact Andrew McCracken, RCP Communications and New Media Adviser, on +44 (0)203 075 1354 / 07990 745 608, or email andrew.mccracken@rcplondon.ac.uk