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Doctors want action over alcohol Doctors want action over alcohol
(about 7 hours later)
A range of proposals to tackle Wales' "growing drink problem" have been put forward by doctors' leaders.A range of proposals to tackle Wales' "growing drink problem" have been put forward by doctors' leaders.
The British Medical Association (BMA) in Wales wants an increase in taxation on alcoholic drinks, proportionate to the strength of the product.The British Medical Association (BMA) in Wales wants an increase in taxation on alcoholic drinks, proportionate to the strength of the product.
It also wants to see local schemes rolled out nationwide to outlaw the drinking of alcohol on the streets.It also wants to see local schemes rolled out nationwide to outlaw the drinking of alcohol on the streets.
The BMA said politicians in Westminster and Cardiff Bay needed to co-operate on a new set of policies.The BMA said politicians in Westminster and Cardiff Bay needed to co-operate on a new set of policies.
A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said there was no single solution to this "complex issue".
Dr Richard Lewis, secretary of BMA Wales said: "After smoking, alcohol is the next big public health issue.Dr Richard Lewis, secretary of BMA Wales said: "After smoking, alcohol is the next big public health issue.
"The government needs to get to grips with the problem.""The government needs to get to grips with the problem."
Dr Lewis said the BMA wanted to offer "practical solutions to Wales' growing drink problem".Dr Lewis said the BMA wanted to offer "practical solutions to Wales' growing drink problem".
He said it wanted an increase in funding of services designed to treat alcoholism and related illnesses.He said it wanted an increase in funding of services designed to treat alcoholism and related illnesses.
BMA FOUR-POINT PLAN An end to deep discounting of alcohol sold in off licences and supermarkets.Research into how pricing mechanisms can be used in Wales to discourage heavy consumption of high alcohol productsLegislate for alcohol labelling rather than relying on voluntary agreements with the drinks industryReduce the drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg and introduce random breath testing in WalesSource: BMA WalesBMA FOUR-POINT PLAN An end to deep discounting of alcohol sold in off licences and supermarkets.Research into how pricing mechanisms can be used in Wales to discourage heavy consumption of high alcohol productsLegislate for alcohol labelling rather than relying on voluntary agreements with the drinks industryReduce the drink-drive limit from 80mg to 50mg and introduce random breath testing in WalesSource: BMA Wales
Doctors themselves needed to take a lead by helping to change both attitudes and behaviour with regards to alcohol, said Dr Lewis.Doctors themselves needed to take a lead by helping to change both attitudes and behaviour with regards to alcohol, said Dr Lewis.
The proposals build on the publication of BMA Wales' four point plan to tackle alcohol-related issues, which was unveiled in June.The proposals build on the publication of BMA Wales' four point plan to tackle alcohol-related issues, which was unveiled in June.
The scheme called for an end to discounting of alcohol by off licences and supermarkets, laws on alcohol labelling and reducing the drink-drive limit.The scheme called for an end to discounting of alcohol by off licences and supermarkets, laws on alcohol labelling and reducing the drink-drive limit.
According to BMA Wales, the number of people admitted to hospital for alcohol-related conditions increased from 252 per 100,000 in 1999 to 309 per 100,000 in 2005.According to BMA Wales, the number of people admitted to hospital for alcohol-related conditions increased from 252 per 100,000 in 1999 to 309 per 100,000 in 2005.
It said admission rates were significantly higher than the overall Welsh average in Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Gwynedd, Newport, Wrexham, Swansea, Ynys Môn, Denbighshire, Conwy and Blaenau Gwent.It said admission rates were significantly higher than the overall Welsh average in Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Gwynedd, Newport, Wrexham, Swansea, Ynys Môn, Denbighshire, Conwy and Blaenau Gwent.
A number of cities and towns across Wales have already set up alcohol bans on their streets, including Aberystwyth, Rhyl, Cwmbran and Swansea. Caerphilly Council was one of the first authorities to prohibit drinking in specified public places.A number of cities and towns across Wales have already set up alcohol bans on their streets, including Aberystwyth, Rhyl, Cwmbran and Swansea. Caerphilly Council was one of the first authorities to prohibit drinking in specified public places.
It has also introduced a number of measures to curb underage drinking.It has also introduced a number of measures to curb underage drinking.
The BMA also referred to a survey by the Health Behaviour in School Aged Children which showed Wales had the highest proportion of 15-year-olds that reported drinking on a weekly basis.The BMA also referred to a survey by the Health Behaviour in School Aged Children which showed Wales had the highest proportion of 15-year-olds that reported drinking on a weekly basis.
Dr Lewis said the "comprehensive set of measures" was designed to cover a variety problem areas.Dr Lewis said the "comprehensive set of measures" was designed to cover a variety problem areas.
"It's now up to the assembly government in partnership with the UK government to ensure that these policies are taken forward," he added."It's now up to the assembly government in partnership with the UK government to ensure that these policies are taken forward," he added.
In a statement, an assembly government spokesperson said it agreed that a change in attitude was necessary and that education was "key".
"The Welsh Assembly Government welcomes and supports all measures that make people think about their alcohol consumption, encourages them to drink sensibly and discourages excessive drinking," added the spokesperson.