Drink kills eight Scots a day

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 20:05

ALCOHOL is killing one Scot every three hours, figures showed yesterday as the leader of Scotland's doctors challenged MSPs to support plans to increase the price of cheap drinks.

The new study found that one in 20 deaths in Scotland is linked to alcohol – twice the level previously estimated.

Among those aged 35 to 44 the toll was even higher, with 26 per cent of deaths in men and 21 per cent in women associated with alcohol consumption.

Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland, said the nation was "awash with alcohol" and the effects were "crippling" the NHS.

Speaking at the BMA's annual conference in Liverpool, he called on MSPs of all parties to back controversial measures to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol – or come up with something else to tackle the problem.

The research published yesterday is the first of its kind, including the whole range of illnesses and accidents linked to alcohol consumption.

The study, published by ISD Scotland, identified 53 conditions ranging from cancers to strokes, assaults and road deaths where alcohol played a role.

The researchers reanalysed data from 2003 based on new methods of calculating the damage caused by alcohol.

They found there were 2,882 deaths in Scotland thought to be linked to alcohol, compared with the previous estimate of just 1,525 for that year.

There were 1,080 deaths in people under the age of 55.

Young people were more likely to die from an acute condition such as an injury linked to alcohol use rather than from a chronic condition.

However, one in ten of all deaths in those aged 35 to 44 was linked to alcoholic liver disease.

The research also found 41,414 people were discharged from hospital due to alcohol consumption – more than one in 20 of patients over the age of 16, and 50 per cent higher than previous figures.

The report also estimated drinking at moderate levels had some benefit in preventing deaths from heart disease. It suggested that 1,493 heart disease deaths may have been prevented in this way, but the report warned that even drinking at low levels was a risk factor for other conditions.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "This research shows alcohol misuse is taking an even higher toll on Scotland's health than previously thought.

"To have one in 20 Scots dying from alcohol-related causes is a truly shocking statistic.

"Drinking alcohol is part of Scottish culture but it's clear that many people are drinking too much and damaging their health in the process."

Dr Terry said the figures showed the "true hidden human cost" of alcohol misuse in Scotland.

He added: "

Scotland is awash with alcohol and the consequences are crippling the health service. The scale of the problem needs radical solutions. A wide-ranging strategy is essential, but alongside public health education and awareness raising, a central part of this strategy is to introduce minimum price per unit of alcohol.

"Legislation on price is the only proven way to help change behaviour and end the heavy-drinking culture that is blighting our health service."

Dr Terry, who is a consultant in Aberdeen, said the SNP government would need the support of other parties to pass legislation to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol and he implored them to back the proposals.

"Any MSP that does not support the proposed legislation on minimum unit price has to come up with a suggestion that will have as much evidence in influencing this problem, and I don't think they can," he said.

But Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "It is important in the light of these figures that the Scottish Government stops relying on minimum pricing as a single tool solution.

"We urgently need better education about the harm which alcohol can cause and rehabilitation programmes based on abstinence and recovery."

53 WAYS DRINK CAN KILL YOU

CONDITIONS WHOLLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:

Alcohol induced pseudo Cushing's Syndrome

Wernicke's encephalopathy

Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol

Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol

Alcoholic polyneuropathy

Alcoholic myopathy

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

Alcoholic gastritis

Alcoholic liver disease

Alcohol induced chronic pancreatitis

Fetus and newborn affected by maternal use of alcohol

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Excessive blood level of alcohol

Toxic effect of alcohol

Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol

Intentional self poisoning by, and exposure to alcohol

Poisoning by and exposure to alcohol, undetermined intent

Evidence of alcohol involvement determined by blood alcohol level

Evidence of alcohol involvement determined by level intoxication

CONDITIONS PARTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION:

Cancer of the lip

Cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx

Oesophageal cancer

Colorectal cancer

Cancer of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts

Laryngeal cancer

Breast cancer

Hypertensive diseases

Coronary heart disease

Cardiac arrhythmias

Haemorrhagic stroke

Ischaemic stroke

Oesophageal varices

Mallory-Weiss syndrome

Unspecified liver disease

Portal hypertension

Cholelithiasis

Acute and other chronic pancreatitis

Psoriasis

Spontaneous abortion

Epilepsy and Status epilepticus

Road traffic accidents - non pedestrian

Pedestrian traffic accidents

Water transport injuries

Fall injuries

Occupational work/machine injuries

Firearm injuries

Drowning

Inhalation and ingestion of food causing obstruction of respiratory tract

Fire injuries

Accidental excessive cold

Accidental poisoning by and exposure to noxious substances

Intentional self-harm(Event of undetermined intent

Assault