'Government plans to slash drink-drive limit'

The government has signalled that it plans to cut the drink driving limit to less than a pint of beer or a glass of wine. Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, expects an official review of the law to recommend reducing the legal limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood - roughly equivalent to two pints of standard beer or three small glasses of wine - to 50mg. He said he would take this "very seriously" and added: "A strong case has been made to have a lower limit." The government believes the tougher law on alcohol would prevent up to 65 deaths a year and a further 230 serious injuries in car accidents linked to drink driving. - Sunday Times​

Gordon Brown's refusal to clamp down on cheap alcohol is the biggest public health failing of the last decade, England's chief medical officer has said. Sir Liam Donaldson, who is about to retire as Whitehall's most senior doctor, said the government's rejection last year of his proposal for minimum prices constituted his biggest disappointment in the role. Asked about recommendations where action had not been taken, and which of those he was most concerned about, Sir Liam said: "On the public health front I think it would have to be minimum alcohol pricing, though I still hope it will come in at some point." - Sunday Telegraph​

Children who watch X-rated films are more likely to become underage drinkers, according to a major two-year study in the US. Research into the behaviour of more than 6,250 young teenagers exposed to adult films will give many another reason why such films should not be seen by children. Watching films that they are not supposed to gives adolescents a greater sense of 'sensation' seeking which can lead them to trying alcohol illegally, said the study by Washington scientists. - Daily Telegraph​