The BBPA (British Beer and Pub Association) describes as ‘encouraging’ the figures which show that hospital admissions for under 16s have fallen by 16%, and 16-24s are down by 2.4%.
BBPA recognises that the report rightly points out that changes to the recording of admissions, through the use of ‘secondary diagnoses’, has “led to increases in the proportion of admissions which have secondary conditions associated with them.”
However, while hospital admissions are one part of a complex picture, the BBPA points out the importance of remembering that there has been a significant overall drop in alcohol consumption per head – this fell by 3.3% in 2012, with a 16% decline since 2004 and concludes:
“Alcohol misuse remains a problem for a minority, and is something we must all work to tackle. Nevertheless, key trends are moving in the right direction. “
WSTA
The WSTA (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) welcomed the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showing that the majority of people are drinking within weekly guideline amounts and increased awareness of alcohol units, and also noted that the figures show that alcohol consumption in the UK has continued to decline, down a further 4.5% on last year.
WSTA Chief Executive Miles Beale said:
“Today’s ONS figures show that significant progress is being made with the majority of people drinking within weekly guideline amounts and overall levels of alcohol consumption continuing to decline.
“Whilst we are concerned by the increase in alcohol related deaths these figures show that the Government must target its effort on the minority who drink to excess instead of penalising the responsible drinking majority.”