Balance responds to new alcohol-related death figures
Colin Shevills, Director of Balance, said: “This morning’s report (Thursday, January 26) is further proof that alcohol misuse ends lives in the North East and that more needs to be done.
“Once again our region tops the tables and we’ve seen an astonishing leap in alcohol related deaths over the last two decades.”
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today reveal that since 1991, the rate of male deaths in North East has increased 160% compared to a national increase of 94%. It shows the rate of female deaths across the region has reduced slightly in the past 12 months but the rate has still increased 149% in the last 21 years, compared to a national increase of 67%.
Colin added: “People are dying because alcohol is way too cheap. They’re dying because alcohol is available on nearly every street corner at all hours of the day and night. They’re dying because alcohol is also far too heavily promoted. The alcohol industry spends something like £800m a year on marketing which is having a huge impact on recruiting the next generation of problem drinkers from amongst our children.
“We need to turn back the rising tide of alcohol related deaths by introducing a range of measures which include greater restrictions on alcohol marketing and a minimum price per unit of alcohol. David Cameron has already signalled his interest in a minimum price. On behalf of the North East, and the rest of the UK, we would urge him to continue his investigations as a matter of priority.”
Balance is calling on North Easterners to back its campaign to restrict alcohol marketing by signing a petition to Government at www.balancenortheast.co.uk
– ENDS –
Notes to editors
Research carried out by the Office for National Statistics and published in today’s Alcohol-related Deaths in the UK 2010 report reveal that:
- The North East has the highest rate of alcohol related deaths in men in England at 22.6 deaths per 100,000 compared to a national rate of 16.1 per 100,000.
- This means that the North East is 40% higher than the national male rate.
- The rate of male deaths increased 9.7% since 2009 (nationally this increase was 1.9%).
- There were 314 male deaths in the North East in 2010, up from 287 in 2009.
- The North East has the second highest rate of alcohol related deaths in women in England at 10.2 deaths per 100,000 compared to a national rate of 7.5 deaths per 100,000.
- This means that the North East is 36% higher than the national female rate.
- There were 155 female deaths in the North East in 2010.
- The number of North East alcohol-related deaths in 2010 totalled 469