Wednesday 3rd December 2008

Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians, and Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, today responding to the Queen’s speech said:

“Although the Government’s commitment to improve public health is welcome, it is disappointing that how they intend to achieve it was not set out more clearly. We consider the evidence base, much of which was commissioned by the government and which repeatedly demonstrates a clear relationship between low prices, rising levels of alcohol consumption and harm, to be robust. Therefore it is particularly disappointing that there is no intention to act on promotions such as loss leaders and below cost selling in supermarkets. However, the decision to tackle irresponsible sales practices through the Policing and Crime Bill does potentially offer benefits to public health. The challenge as ever remains joined up government. A good example of this would be to include a public health objective within the Licensing Act so that local authorities can weigh up the health needs of local communities alongside the broader social and economic questions they consider in the course of their decision making.”

For more information, or to arrange an interview with Prof Gilmore, please contact Frank Soodeen, PR and Public Affairs Officer, on 0207 935 1174 Ext 468 or through frank.soodeen@rcplondon.ac.uk