EU to get tough on UK binge drinking problem

8.45.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 9th Sep 2007

Just a month after the publication of a report suggesting that women in their 40s in Cardiff are more likely to drink potentially harmful amounts on a night out than younger people, the European Parliament last week adopted an initiative aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in Member States. For local Lib Dem campaigner and Dunvant councillor Nick Tregoning, who is also a member of Swansea's Licensing Committee, the UK - with one of the worst records on binge drinking - could benefit from EU help.

The results of a year-long survey in Cardiff published last month revealed that while men's drinking peaked in their late 20s, women's alcohol intake reached its heights among the over-40s. Last week a national survey revealed that teens in the UK are drinking more than ever. The poll showed that 8200 11 to 15-year-olds drink every week and that their average weekly consumption is 11.4 units, up from 10.4 units in 2000.

Commenting, Nick Tregoning said:

"Hospitals across Wales are seeing hundreds of admissions - from head injuries, to broken bones and stomach pumping - as a direct result of binge drinking. This is increasingly worrying, especially when we see children as young as 12 being hospitalised for alcohol-related injuries. While the UK government has pledged to cut problem drinking, this country is still one of the worst offenders in Europe. So let's learn from our EU partners and work together on bringing binge-drinking down in this country."

"The report adopted by the European Parliament last week raises issues including proper labelling and warnings on alcoholic products; how to reduce accidents caused by drink-driving; and how to tackle the binge-drinking culture. It calls on EU Member States to pay particular attention to vulnerable social groups, most especially young people and pregnant women, and to address the problems of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption by young people, workers and drivers through increased awareness and by a review of existing national laws."