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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Alcohol-related deaths 'rising' | Alcohol-related deaths 'rising' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The number of people in the UK dying from alcohol-related problems is continuing to rise. | The number of people in the UK dying from alcohol-related problems is continuing to rise. |
| Office for National Statistics figures show there were 13.4 alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 population in 2006 - up from 12.9 in 2005. | Office for National Statistics figures show there were 13.4 alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 population in 2006 - up from 12.9 in 2005. |
| The mortality rate in men (18.3/100,000) was more than twice the rate for females (8.8/100,000). | The mortality rate in men (18.3/100,000) was more than twice the rate for females (8.8/100,000). |
| The overall death rate has almost doubled from 6.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 1991. | The overall death rate has almost doubled from 6.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 1991. |
| It appears that for certain younger people who've been drinking heavily for most of their lives, the consequences are beginning to show themselves at ever earlier stages Frank SoodeenAlcohol Concern | It appears that for certain younger people who've been drinking heavily for most of their lives, the consequences are beginning to show themselves at ever earlier stages Frank SoodeenAlcohol Concern |
| In total 8,758 deaths were linked to alcohol in 2006, compared to 4,144 deaths in 1991. | In total 8,758 deaths were linked to alcohol in 2006, compared to 4,144 deaths in 1991. |
| For men, the death rates in all age groups increased between 1991 and 2006. | For men, the death rates in all age groups increased between 1991 and 2006. |
| The biggest increase was for men aged 35-54. Rates in this age group more than doubled over the period, from 13.4 to 31.1 deaths per 100,000. | The biggest increase was for men aged 35-54. Rates in this age group more than doubled over the period, from 13.4 to 31.1 deaths per 100,000. |
| However, the highest rates in each year were for men aged 55-74. | However, the highest rates in each year were for men aged 55-74. |
| Similar pattern in women | Similar pattern in women |
| Death rates by age group for females were consistently lower than rates for males. | Death rates by age group for females were consistently lower than rates for males. |
| However, the death rate for women aged 35Â54 doubled between 1991 and 2006, from 7.2 to 14.8 per 100,000 population. | However, the death rate for women aged 35Â54 doubled between 1991 and 2006, from 7.2 to 14.8 per 100,000 population. |
| The government desperately needs to take a tougher approach with the alcohol and retail industry Sarah MatthewsBritish Liver Trust | |
| Again, the highest rates in each year were for the 55-74 age group. | Again, the highest rates in each year were for the 55-74 age group. |
| Frank Soodeen, of the charity Alcohol Concern, said: "The link between alcohol misuse and ill health is well established. | Frank Soodeen, of the charity Alcohol Concern, said: "The link between alcohol misuse and ill health is well established. |
| "However these figures reveal some disturbing trends. For the second year in a row, the biggest rise in deaths has been among men aged 35-54. | "However these figures reveal some disturbing trends. For the second year in a row, the biggest rise in deaths has been among men aged 35-54. |
| "It appears that for certain younger people who've been drinking heavily for most of their lives, the consequences are beginning to show themselves at ever earlier stages. | "It appears that for certain younger people who've been drinking heavily for most of their lives, the consequences are beginning to show themselves at ever earlier stages. |
| "It is vital that the government finally starts investing more in alcohol treatment to help problem drinkers address these issues before the situation becomes irretrievable." | "It is vital that the government finally starts investing more in alcohol treatment to help problem drinkers address these issues before the situation becomes irretrievable." |
| Tougher line call | |
| Sarah Matthews, of the British Liver Trust, said that a major part of the problem was that alcohol was cheap, readily available and glamorised by celebrities. | |
| "The government desperately needs to take a tougher approach with the alcohol and retail industry, clamping down on cheap promotions and irresponsible advertising - particularly before the 9pm watershed. | |
| "Clear and effective health warnings on alcohol like 'alcohol kills' would also help in raising awareness of the damage that alcohol can have." | |
| Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was launching a £10m education campaign to raise awareness of alcohol, and reviewing alcohol pricing and promotion. | Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was launching a £10m education campaign to raise awareness of alcohol, and reviewing alcohol pricing and promotion. |
| It had also toughened enforcement of underage sales by retailers, and planned more help for people who wanted to drink less. | It had also toughened enforcement of underage sales by retailers, and planned more help for people who wanted to drink less. |
| She said: "We know we're not going to change people's attitudes to alcohol overnight - it's going to take time, but it's reassuring to see that figures, published earlier this week, suggest alcohol consumption is no longer on the rise." | She said: "We know we're not going to change people's attitudes to alcohol overnight - it's going to take time, but it's reassuring to see that figures, published earlier this week, suggest alcohol consumption is no longer on the rise." |