Alcohol Misuse

We must awake from this sleepwalk

11-Sep-2014 By Rob Willock

We recently published an extract from Paul Chase’s book Culture Wars and Moral Panic, in which the author describes the ‘Big Lie’ propaganda technique increasingly being used by the anti-alcohol brigade.

Parliamentary group calls for 'alcohol harm minister'

18-Aug-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

The All Party Parliamentary Committee on Alcohol Misuse is calling for a single government minister to be accountable for the responsibility of reducing alcohol harms as part of its 2015 Manifesto that also includes a minimum unit price for alcoholic...

NHS should be more worried about medical negligence than drinking culture

23-Oct-2012 By Paul Chase

It seems you only have to turn on your TV these days to be treated to a new tale of woe about the health consequences of alcohol. Whether it’s Alistair Campbell’s piece on middle-class alcoholism or national treasure Joan Bakewell on drinking among ‘oldies’,...

Portman Group chief Henry Ashworth calls for Best Bar None and Purple Flag to target more problem areas

17-Sep-2012 By Gurjit Degun

Portman Group chief executive Henry Ashworth has called for industry initiatives such as Best Bar None and Purple Flag to target more areas where alcohol misuse is high.

Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill gets passed by the Scottish Parliament

24-May-2012 By Michelle Perrett

The Scottish Parliament has passed the Alcohol Minimum Pricing Bill making way for its preferred minimum price of 50p per unit.

The Big Interview: Henry Ashworth

10-Apr-2012 By Adam Pescod

Nobody can accuse Portman Group’s chief executive Henry Ashworth of not having enough experience of the harm that alcohol misuse can cause. As Adam Pescod discovers, he is the ideal man to encourage responsible drinking.

Alcohol strategy doesn't target "hidden binge drinkers"

23-Mar-2012 By Adam Pescod

Alcohol awareness groups have given a lukewarm response to the Government’s Alcohol Strategy, published today, which proposes a minimum unit price for alcohol of 40p per unit.

Scottish Minimum Pricing Bill published today

01-Nov-2011 By Adam Pescod

Minimum pricing on alcohol is unlikely to reduce alcohol misuse, is probably illegal and threatens one of Scotland’s key industries. That is the Scotch Whisky Association’s (SWA) view on the controversial policy set out in the Alcohol Bill, published...

Taking a responsible stand

23-Aug-2011 By Stefan Orlowski

Stakeholders must work together to help reduce alcohol misuse, argues the boss of Heineken UK.

Call for action on alcohol misuse to save NHS billions

14-Feb-2011

Tackling alcohol misuse must be made a public health priority to help save the NHS £1.7bn a year, a health lobby group has argued. A report by...

'Mayfair set call time on Guy Ritchie's pub'

03-Nov-2009

With a string of celebrity regulars and attendant paparazzi, it has become one of London's most fashionable nightspots. But the days of film director...

New fund to tackle binge drinking culture

13-Feb-2009

A £1 million fund to promote responsible drinking in the UK has been launched by charity Drinkaware. The scheme, called Drinkaware Grants, aims to...

£7m scheme to help "at risk" drinkers

05-Nov-2008 By James Wilmore

A new £7 million government scheme to help the 20 areas of England worst hit by alcohol misuse has been unveiled today. The initiative is designed...

'NHS needs to do more to combat alcohol misuse'

29-Oct-2008 By Ewan Turney

The National Health Service (NHS) needs to do more to combat alcohol misuse, according to new research out today.

Minimum pricing plan confirmed for Scotland

03-Sep-2008 By James Wilmore

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond today confirmed the country will legislate to tackle alcohol misuse - which could include a ban on off-sales...

'Diageo slams government's alcohol proposals'

31-Aug-2008

Diageo will this week launch a scathing attack on the Scottish Government's clampdown on binge drinking, accusing it of failing to target those who...

Alcohol Health Alliance officially launches

13-Nov-2007 By Ewan Turney

Lobby group pushing for a tax increase on alcohol launched this morning

Trade groups warn against excise hike

08-Nov-2007 By Ewan Turney ewan.turney@william-reed.co.uk

Trade groups have pleaded with the Government not to increase excise duty as a means of controlling binge drinking and alcohol abuse. Four...

Trade joins Scottish Exec to curb misuse

01-Mar-2007 By John Harrington john.harrington@william-reed. co.

Drinks producers have committed to piloting low-alcohol drinks in Scotland as part of a strategy to reduce alcohol misuse. The "partnership...