• Medical experts have called on Wes Streeting to implement a ‘life-saving’ policy to tackle the rising alcohol-related deaths.
• They highlighted a ‘catastrophic’ 42% increase in alcohol-related deaths over the past five years.
The AHA, a coalition comprising medical royal colleges, charities, treatment providers, and academics, emphasised that this statistic significantly underestimates the broader toll of alcohol-related deaths. They have called for urgent intervention from Health Secretary, Wes Streeting to reverse the ‘alarming trend,’ underscoring the steep rise in deaths ‘solely’ caused by alcohol since 2019.
In a letter to the Health Secretary, the experts demanded the adoption of a minimum unit pricing (MUP) scheme, akin to Scotland’s model, describing it as ‘life-saving.’ They also criticised the government for its ‘inaction across the board,’ which they claim has allowed alcohol-related deaths in England to ‘spiral.’
The letter declared:
‘Deaths caused solely by alcohol have increased by a catastrophic 42 per cent since 2019. After decades of inaction, we urge you to make it your New Year’s resolution to redress this alarming trend and stop the needless suffering of countless individuals, their children, families, and communities across the country.’
It added:
‘In 2023, 8,274 people lost their lives to alcohol: the sharp end of a spectrum of harm that ripples through society and is putting growing pressures on our economy and health services. This number can be seen as the tip of the iceberg as it reflects deaths wholly attributable to alcohol and not those where alcohol was a contributing factor, a figure likely to be three times higher.’
The letter also highlighted that nearly 950,000 hospital admissions annually in England are linked to alcohol consumption.
It concluded:
‘Left unchecked, the alcohol harm crisis will only escalate further, placing an ever-greater burden on our healthcare system, economy, and society. We know what works, and now is the time to act.’
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the AHA, stressed the urgency of intervention:
‘These new statistics are a stark reminder of the devastating impact alcohol takes on our society, not just in lives lost but in the shattered families and communities left behind. Alcohol-related harm does not occur in isolation. It ripples through families, often leaving children to bear the brunt of grief and trauma.’
He continued:
‘The devastating rise in alcohol deaths should serve as an alarm for the new government to act with urgency. We have the evidence, and we know the solutions. Now is the moment to show that we value human lives over profit. Without bold, decisive action, these preventable deaths will continue to climb. Addressing alcohol harm must be a top public health priority in 2025, requiring a cross-government effort to reverse this crisis.’
In 2023, 8,274 people lost their lives due to alcohol consumption, but the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) warned this figure represents merely the ‘tip of the iceberg.’
In March 2020, the previous government stated there were ‘no plans for the introduction of MUP in England’ but noted it would monitor the initiative’s progress in Scotland. When questioned again in October 2023, Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson said the government was working ‘closely across departments to better understand what can be done.’
Lord Darzi’s authoritative review of the NHS in England also highlighted the rising affordability of alcohol and its link to the surge in deaths. The AHA’s letter, obtained by PA Media, warned that the ‘alcohol harm crisis’ will continue to escalate without decisive measures to curb consumption.
‘Our 10-Year Health Plan will shift the focus of the NHS from sickness to prevention. This means prioritizing public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives,’ he said.
It’s important to note, there is no definitive evidence of the long-term benefits of Scotland’s recent policy implementation to curb alcohol consumption. Similarly, measures like the sugar tax, for instance, have not resolved the obesity crisis in England. However, unlike excessive sugar consumption, the devastating effects of alcohol extend far beyond the individual, disrupting families, harming vulnerable children and women, fuelling violent crime, and burdening society at large. The World Health Organization (WHO) released a pivotal report in 2018 that exposed the devastating impact of alcohol on public health, revealing its direct connection to violence, crime, and accidents. With compelling data, the WHO highlighted the global burden of alcohol-related harm and its deep ties to societal issues, including escalating crime rates.
The alarming rise in alcohol-related deaths is poised to overwhelm A&E departments across the UK, placing immense strain on the healthcare system during the Christmas period.
Interestingly, while many criticise Islam for its strict prohibition of narcotics and intoxicants, one undeniable truth remains: human beings cannot always be relied upon to recognise when to draw the line. Additionally, Muslim-majority countries are not burdened with the same crises in their emergency departments that many other nations face. Unchecked indulgence, often leads to profound and lasting consequences. Alcohol consumption, in particular, present a significant hindrance to societal well-being.
This underscores how Allah, our Creator, is the Wisest, who understands us far better than we understand ourselves. It also highlights how Islam provides a holistic framework for living, offering a comprehensive approach to the betterment of society. Shariah law, contrary to the misleading narratives propagated by certain media outlets, provides a framework brimming with benefits for both individuals and society as a whole. This includes the prohibition of alcohol consumption, illustrating how the laws of Allah are central to a holistic approach to societal well-being.
