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LGA responds to latest alcohol-related death figures

Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, responds to latest Office for National Statistics figures which show there were 8,758 alcohol-related deaths in the UK in 2015.

"What is particularly concerning about these figures is that the rates of alcohol-related deaths were highest in middle aged and older age groups.

"Despite drinking comparatively little, older people consume alcohol far more often.

"These statistics should serve as a warning around the dangers of regular drinking over a long period of time and the impact this can have on the body of an older person, which is less able to handle the same level of alcohol as in previous years.

"Many of us like to have a drink to relax and enjoy our free time, but councils are committed to helping people cut down on how much they drink, through supporting initiatives such as Dry January, to raise awareness and encourage small lifestyle changes which can have a big impact on improving people's health.

"Councils have also called for a public health objective to be included within the Licensing Act, to give them the power to limit the opening of late-night premises in areas where there are particular concerns about the impact of alcohol on public health.

"In addition, we have urged the drinks industry to produce more low strength cider, wine, beer and spirits with fewer or zero units of alcohol, to tackle drink-related health problems."

Alcohol-related deaths in the UK: registered in 2015 (Latest release)

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