New Recommendations from British E.R. Docs to Limit Alcohol-Related Injuries

Emergency doctors from Britain's College of Emergency Medicine have called for wide-ranging policy changes designed to limit alcohol-related injuries, The Guardian reported Sept. 21.

The sweeping set of recommendations included a call for minimum pricing for alcohol to discourage use; clearer labeling on alcoholic beverages; better training for bar workers so they can refuse service to drunk patrons; an end to alcohol advertising targeted at young people; and no more happy hours.

The doctors also suggested that Britain's legal blood-alcohol limit be lowered from 80 milligrams to 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood, to match that of other European countries. An even lower blood-alcohol limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood would apply to anyone who had received a driver's license in the past five years.

Alcohol-related health problems and injuries appear to be getting worse, the doctors said, in spite of initiatives to address the issue. While they had previously encountered acutely intoxicated patients primarily on weekends between the hours of 10 pm and 2 am, they said they now see them “every night of the week,” and 24 hours a day.

See also: College of Emergency Medicine statement on Alcohol Related Harms (open PDF)