Britain doubles its liver death rate

Although Brit's like to have a drink or two if society continues to consume as much alcohol as it currently does, Britain will have the highest death rate by liver disease in Europe. Why? Cheap alcohol fuels a culture of binge drinking among the youth, especially at times of high unemployment. The alcohol problem in the UK could mean the loss of a quarter of a million lives to liver disease over the next twenty years.

A recent report in the medical journal The Lancet said other countries with similar cultures, genetic backgrounds and an alcohol drinking society all had similar death rates from liver disease until the mid-1980. Those countries include Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and The Netherlands.

Since that time, alcohol related liver deaths in the UK have doubled from around 4.9 per 100,000 people to 11.4 per 100,000 while the other countries in the report remained low.
Statistics supplied by the office of national statistics suggest a decline is possible, following a similar gradient to France, of 22,000 fewer alcohol-related liver deaths by 2019. If nothing is done about the problem, another 8,900 lives will be lost to liver deaths.

One way other countries are taking measures to reduce alcohol liver deaths is through price hikes, stricter controls at the shops and even more restrictions placed on the promotion of alcoholic beverages, similar to the control of tobacco sales.

The British government promises to ban the sale of alcohol below cost price and increase taxes on some of the strongest beers.  The report says these steps would be "inconsequential because of the tiny fraction of sales that fall into either category." No mention has been made to the sale of spirits, but perhaps spirits are also included in the above statement?

Alcohol in moderation is not harmful and should be enjoyed by all, at least that's what the professionals seem to say. Wines, particularly red wines, are high in antioxidants which are beneficial to controlling obesity and heart disease.

Is it necessary for the government to increase taxes on wines and spirits  in order for us to improve our health or can we improve our own lives through involvement in physical and mental activities that do not involve the use of alcohol?

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