The Department of Health is responsible for Government health policy on alcohol misuse. Regularly drinking above the recommended daily limits for lower risk drinking of 2-3 units for women and 3-4 units for men, significantly increases the risk of ill health.
It is vital that action is taken to improve the health of those who regularly drink above the recommended daily limits for lower risk drinking and to protect those whose health and well-being suffer because of the drinking of others.
You can find further information about the Department’s work in the pages below.
The Home Office works with the Police to enforce the law relating to alcohol-related crime and disorder, especially focusing on problem premises and under-age sales.
The Department of Health is committed to tackling alcohol misuse through a wide range of initiatives.
The Government is launching a UK wide consultation on 15 February 2009 to consider how best to improve unit and health information for consumers on alcohol labels, whether through a renewed and strengthened voluntary agreement or a mandatory requirement through legislation under the Food Safety Act. The consultation is being launched jointly by the Department of Health, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government, and the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety.
The views of alcohol producers and other stakeholders for improving the labelling of alcoholic drinks is being sought.
Alcohol Effects – New campaign launched!
We have teamed up with three leading health charities - the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and the Stroke Association to launch a new advertising campaign highlighting the unseen damage that can be caused by regularly drinking more than the NHS advises
The Department of Health has launched a major new programme comprising: Data, Tools, Guidance and practical support to PCTs and their partners in making an impact on alcohol-related harm. Find out more about the Alcohol Improvement Programme at the Alcohol Learning Centre via the link below.
Find advice on unit guidelines, alcohol and pregnancy, as well as advice for young people.
‘Safe, Sensible, Social’ is the Government’s alcohol strategy and commits all Government departments to work together to tackle alcohol problems.
On 19 January, the Home Office, working with the Department of Health, published "Selling Alcohol Responsibly: Government response to the consultation on the new code of practice for alcohol retailers" (May - August 2009) and also published the independent consultation analysis and the findings of the public survey.
Click on the links below to find out more.
What are the Department of Health and the NHS doing to reduce alcohol harm?
The Department of Health is working with the alcohol industry to encourage responsible promotions and improve the quality of information available to consumers.
Department of Health publications, including public information leaflets, policy documents and guidance.
The Office for National Statistics and the Information Centre publish a range of statistics on alcohol use and misuse.
Links to Government departments and organisations providing advice on alcohol.
If you would like to contact someone from the Alcohol Policy Team at the Department of Health please click on the link below
The Government has published its response to the Health Select Committee Report on Alcohol.
The Home Office has published the Government response to consultation on the new code for alcohol retailers.
New campaign highlights the unseen damage that can be caused by regularly drinking more than the NHS advises.
