Report highlights need for action on alcohol misuse
Urgent action is needed to tackle the rising levels of alcohol misuse in the UK, a report claims.There were 8,664 alcohol-related deaths in 2009, according to the British Liver Trust - equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing every 17 days.
The charity said that alcohol accounts for four-fifths of deaths from liver disease and called for increased efforts to address problem drinking.
Chief executive Andrew Langford commented: "To reduce the rising rates of liver disease, we need to focus on all problem drinkers, not just those who are severely alcohol dependent.
"Drinking harmfully, as 2.9 million of us do, can increase your risk of liver disease by 13 times."
The British Liver Trust also backs measures to tackle the cost, availability and promotion of alcohol.
It has joined other leading health groups in writing an open letter to MPs, which calls for firmer pricing policies for alcohol.
The letter, which was also signed by Alcohol Concern and the British Medical Association, urges Westminster to join Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in introducing a minimum unit price for alcohol to improve public health.
