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| Weaker drinks 'to solve health problems', say councils | Weaker drinks 'to solve health problems', say councils |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Weaker beers, ciders, wines and spirits are what is needed to tackle drink-related health problems, local councils have said. | |
| The Local Government Association (LGA) has also called on ministers to extend tax breaks on lower-strength 2.8% beers to include ciders and wines. | The Local Government Association (LGA) has also called on ministers to extend tax breaks on lower-strength 2.8% beers to include ciders and wines. |
| The call has been welcomed by industry bodies. | The call has been welcomed by industry bodies. |
| The LGA represents 370 councils in England and Wales with responsibility for public health. | The LGA represents 370 councils in England and Wales with responsibility for public health. |
| The cost to the NHS of dealing with excessive alcohol consumption is estimated to be £3.5bn a year, according to the LGA. | The cost to the NHS of dealing with excessive alcohol consumption is estimated to be £3.5bn a year, according to the LGA. |
| 'Revitalise pubs' | 'Revitalise pubs' |
| Tony Page, the licensing spokesman for the LGA, said: "Increasing the availability of zero alcohol and weaker strength drinks will help people live healthier lives by helping to control drinking levels and tackle the harm caused by excessive drinking. | Tony Page, the licensing spokesman for the LGA, said: "Increasing the availability of zero alcohol and weaker strength drinks will help people live healthier lives by helping to control drinking levels and tackle the harm caused by excessive drinking. |
| "With a new generation of non-drinkers on the rise, there is a growing demand for greater choice in alcohol-free and weaker drinks, with several 'dry bars' opening up across the country. | "With a new generation of non-drinkers on the rise, there is a growing demand for greater choice in alcohol-free and weaker drinks, with several 'dry bars' opening up across the country. |
| "Tax breaks for beer have helped fuel a rise in low-strength products. This should now be extended to cider, wine and spirits." | "Tax breaks for beer have helped fuel a rise in low-strength products. This should now be extended to cider, wine and spirits." |
| He also said that drinking habits were changing and "brewers needed to capitalise on this by producing a range of different options" for people. | He also said that drinking habits were changing and "brewers needed to capitalise on this by producing a range of different options" for people. |
| Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that excessive consumption of alcohol is also associated with violent crime. | Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that excessive consumption of alcohol is also associated with violent crime. |
| In just over a half of all instances of violent crime in England and Wales in 2013-14, the victim believed that the perpetrator was drunk. | In just over a half of all instances of violent crime in England and Wales in 2013-14, the victim believed that the perpetrator was drunk. |
| The LGA says widening the availability of low-strength and alcohol-free drinks would "revitalise pubs, which are closing at a rate of nearly 30 a week, and re-establish them as vibrant centres of communities". | The LGA says widening the availability of low-strength and alcohol-free drinks would "revitalise pubs, which are closing at a rate of nearly 30 a week, and re-establish them as vibrant centres of communities". |
| There is also a growing number of non-drinkers, with one in five adults (21%) saying they do not drink alcohol at all - up from 19% in 2005. | There is also a growing number of non-drinkers, with one in five adults (21%) saying they do not drink alcohol at all - up from 19% in 2005. |
| Alcohol duties | Alcohol duties |
| A spokesman for the Portman Group - which campaigns for the drinks industry on social responsibility - said: "We welcome this support for lower strength drinks. | A spokesman for the Portman Group - which campaigns for the drinks industry on social responsibility - said: "We welcome this support for lower strength drinks. |
| "Official statistics show a decade-long decline in harmful drinking in the UK, and alcohol companies are committed to continuing this positive trend." | "Official statistics show a decade-long decline in harmful drinking in the UK, and alcohol companies are committed to continuing this positive trend." |
| A spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association said: "Lower taxes for lower strength drinks is a great idea, and we would support this principle for other drinks categories." | A spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association said: "Lower taxes for lower strength drinks is a great idea, and we would support this principle for other drinks categories." |
| Earlier this year, tough new guidelines were issued on alcohol consumption, which said there was no such thing as a safe level of drinking. | Earlier this year, tough new guidelines were issued on alcohol consumption, which said there was no such thing as a safe level of drinking. |
| The UK's chief medical officers said new research showed any amount of alcohol could increase the risk of cancer. | The UK's chief medical officers said new research showed any amount of alcohol could increase the risk of cancer. |
| Their new advice says men and women who drink regularly should consume no more than 14 units a week - equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine. And pregnant women should not drink at all. | Their new advice says men and women who drink regularly should consume no more than 14 units a week - equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine. And pregnant women should not drink at all. |