Have your say

15th May 2009, 9:33am

Alcohol Concern, the Faculty of Public Health, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Physicians have launched a survey for public sector workers to have their say on the Government's proposed code of practice for alcohol sales.

The proposed mandatory code, published by the Home Office, bans drinks promotions which encourage irresponsible drinking and aims to help drinkers make healthy choices.

Recent research by Alcohol Concern found supermarket cider being sold for as little as 17p per unit. Further research found that a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol would lead to over 3,000 fewer deaths per year, 97,900 fewer hospital admissions and 10,300 fewer violent crimes in England per year.

The organisations will use the survey results to feed in to the Home Office consultation, which closes on 5th August 2009.

Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker said: "A mandatory code is a necessary step in the right direction towards cutting crime and health problems caused by alcohol.

"However, tough action is crucial to really get to grips with the level of alcohol misuse in this country.

"Doctors, nurses and police officers are ideally placed to suggest workable and effective solutions, that's why we're launching this survey for them today.

Royal College of Nursing Secretary Peter Carter added: "Alcohol misuse is an issue that nurses are faced with on a daily basis, therefore they have an important contribution to make to future policy debates in this area.

Related Articles:

• 27 May 2009 - Confirming worst fears
• 14 May 2009 - Mandatory alcohol code is simply 'more red tape' for pubs

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