Alcohol-related liver problems are on the rise in young adults,
according to NHS figures
2 December 2011
Professor Simon Taylor-Robinson, Consultant Hepatologist at The
London Clinic, comments;
“The average alcohol consumption of 11–15 year-old children has
increased by two thirds since 1980 in the UK.*
“These changes have been associated with an accompanying
increase in liver related deaths. Unless this trend is reversed, as
some European countries have seen, rising rates of liver disease,
cirrhosis of the liver and also liver cancer are unlikely to abate,
as the young adults currently affected by increased alcohol
consumption get older and especially if future generations adopt
these drinking patterns."
"Overall alcohol consumption has increased in the UK over recent
decades, driven by fiscal, cultural and marketing factors. For
example, since 1980, spirits have become 350% more affordable, wine
270% and beer 170%.
“A massive increase in supermarkets has changed the way alcohol
is advertised, and also reduced its overall cost. And, alcohol
advertising expenditure has increased by over 50% with the
marketing focus shifted towards younger people, through the
introduction of alcopops and alcohol sponsorship of music
festivals.”
* Analysis of official data by Balance, an NHS and
police-funded alcohol research and campaign group
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PRESS OFFICE ON 020 8786 3960 / 0770 948 7959