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25/10/2005
Law change will exacerbate binge drinking, claims Professor
Twenty-four hour licensing will only exacerbate the culture of binge drinking, a leading addiction expert warned today.
Professor Martin Plant was speaking at the first in a series of Science and Society lectures, organised by the University of Ulster, which aim to make science more accessible to everyday life.
Professor Plant warned that research in countries including Iceland, Australia and the Republic of Ireland has revealed extended bar opening hours lead to a marked increase in alcohol-related deaths such as from liver disease as well as other problems like on-street fighting and violent crime.
“The UK and Ireland are among a number of countries with a centuries-old culture of drinking heavily in a short space of time,” said Professor Plant.
"At present there is an increase in the amount of girls and young women who binge drink. The figures show that 29% of 15-16 year-old girls admit to routinely drinking five or more drinks in a single session, compared to 26% of boys."
Professor Plant said the Government was keen to set targets in other areas of health but shied away from setting ones to cut unhealthy drinking.
However, last week Social Development Minister David Hanson said that suggestions that 24 hour drinking plans will be included in plans by the Government to extend licensing hours for bars in Northern Ireland were "wide of the mark".
The Minister said he was responding to media reports that a proposal to allow 24 hour drinking will be included in the package of proposals he is soon to publish. The Government review will see a wide range of issues put out for public consultation, including enforcement and health promotion.
(MB)
Professor Martin Plant was speaking at the first in a series of Science and Society lectures, organised by the University of Ulster, which aim to make science more accessible to everyday life.
Professor Plant warned that research in countries including Iceland, Australia and the Republic of Ireland has revealed extended bar opening hours lead to a marked increase in alcohol-related deaths such as from liver disease as well as other problems like on-street fighting and violent crime.
“The UK and Ireland are among a number of countries with a centuries-old culture of drinking heavily in a short space of time,” said Professor Plant.
"At present there is an increase in the amount of girls and young women who binge drink. The figures show that 29% of 15-16 year-old girls admit to routinely drinking five or more drinks in a single session, compared to 26% of boys."
Professor Plant said the Government was keen to set targets in other areas of health but shied away from setting ones to cut unhealthy drinking.
However, last week Social Development Minister David Hanson said that suggestions that 24 hour drinking plans will be included in plans by the Government to extend licensing hours for bars in Northern Ireland were "wide of the mark".
The Minister said he was responding to media reports that a proposal to allow 24 hour drinking will be included in the package of proposals he is soon to publish. The Government review will see a wide range of issues put out for public consultation, including enforcement and health promotion.
(MB)
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19 October 2005
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27 August 2004
Commissioning work begins at water treatment facility
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28 September 2012
SDLP Cancels "Irresponsible" Pub Crawl
The SDLP has been forced to apologise following news that its youth-wing organised a cheap pub crawl for students. The £1-a-drink pub crawl was advertised through promotions on the party’s Twitter site and through leaflets being handed out to first year Queen’s University students attending this week’s Freshers’ Fair.
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10 November 2004
Graphic study aims to curb teenage binge drinking
A unique study using images of facial and mouth trauma to cut down on teenage binge drinking has been carried out by researchers from Queen's University and the Royal Group of Hospitals. Six Belfast schools signed up to the study, which aims to highlight the link between heavy binge drinking and the possibility of oral and facial injury.
Graphic study aims to curb teenage binge drinking
A unique study using images of facial and mouth trauma to cut down on teenage binge drinking has been carried out by researchers from Queen's University and the Royal Group of Hospitals. Six Belfast schools signed up to the study, which aims to highlight the link between heavy binge drinking and the possibility of oral and facial injury.
21 February 2008
'Cut-Price' Booze Debate Underlines Local Underage Drinking Scheme
As Britain's largest supermarket giant, Tesco, has called on the Government to introduce new laws to 'ban' cut-price alcohol, it has emerged that a pilot scheme to tackle underage drinking in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area is to be launched.
'Cut-Price' Booze Debate Underlines Local Underage Drinking Scheme
As Britain's largest supermarket giant, Tesco, has called on the Government to introduce new laws to 'ban' cut-price alcohol, it has emerged that a pilot scheme to tackle underage drinking in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area is to be launched.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
