ALCOHOL POLICY REFORM

Impact of Alcohol Policy Reform in UK



Impact of Alcohol Policy Reform in UK

Introduction

Alcohol and alcohol policy is a high profile issue in the UK now. Binge drinking and public order, the government's strategy of alcohol; new Licensing Act, have brought more alcohol in the media and public debate. The role of history in the debate on alcohol relatively under-exploited and the historical role of abstinence rarely turn on. "Moderation" is still used as a derogatory term, not a guide to current and future policy options. However, abstinence and its history, its changes over time in nature, offering many models and food for thought for policy makers at present. Health concerns and alliances, the personal and cultural change, policy and licensing: Abstinence is the history of all these and can be used in the current debate. This article explores the key dimensions of the issue and it also attempts to contribute in solution of the policy issues identified.

Discussion

The impact of policy and supporting education, communication, training and public awareness is low. Although the reach of school educational programs can be high due to the presence of captive audiences in schools, impact on the population of these programs is small due to their current limited or lack of effectiveness.

Recommendations exist; the efficiency school based program could be improved. On the other hand, the media program to play a special role in enhancing public awareness of the problems caused by alcohol and prepares the ground for specific interventions. There is a very strong argument in favour of the effectiveness of policies that regulate the alcohol market in reducing the harm caused by alcohol, including taxation and management of the physical availability of alcohol (limiting hours and days of sale and raising the minimum age for drinking). Taxes on alcohol are particularly important in the orientation of young people and alcohol-related harm. If alcohol taxes were used to raise the price of alcohol in the 15 EU countries by 10%, more than 9000 deaths could be prevented over the next year and an approximate estimate shows that the € 13 billion in additional revenue of excise duty will also experience. Experience shows that if the clock on the sale of alcohol subject to more severe damage results.

World Health Organization simulated effects of alcohol to be less available in retail outlets to 24 hours per week, their application to solving Union considers estimated 123,000 years of disability and premature death avoided the estimated cost of € 98 million each year. Limiting the scope and content of commercial communications of alcoholic beverages can lead to a reduction in harm. Advertisements have a particular impact in promoting a more positive attitude to drinking among young people, and even in advertisements that do not depict the consumption of alcohol; young people perceive the characters as heavy drinkers. Self-regulation of commercial messages on alcoholic drinks industry does not have a good reputation for being efficient (D'Abernon, 2008, ...