Background -

Respondent's name:	A. McNeill
Respondent's country:	UK - England
Respondent's e-mail address:	amcneill@ias.org.uk
Respondent's telephone number:	0207 222 5880/4001 01480 466766
Respondent's fax number:	01480 497583
Respondent's present work:	Manager/Administrator
Organisation, position, address (name and number of street, postal code, town):	Director, Institute of Alcohol Studies Elmgren House, 1 The Quay, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5AR
Organisation website:	http://www.ias.org.uk
Are you a government employee?	No
Professional qualifications:	BA(Hons) PGCE
Number of years in employment in your professional area:	No data entered
Self-rating of expertise level in the area of alcohol control policy in your country (1 is slightly conversant, 10 is fully conversant): 10
Self-rating of expertise level in the area of the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in your country (1 is slightly conversant, 10 is fully conversant): 8
If you are answering for a jurisdictional region rather than as a country as a whole, which jurisdictional region is it?	England
If this questionnaire was completed with the collaboration of other people, provide organisational reference(s) for each participant.
Provide organisational reference(s) for nation-wide and/or regional coalitions (task forces, action groups, collaborative bodies) in the arena of alcohol control policy.
Other background information:	Population size of the country/region: 49,855,700

Politics, policies and priorities -

Do relevant politicians/policy makers refer to alcohol control policy in a manner that suggests it is a priority area?

Yes, in documents

Document references:
Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy
Safe. Sensible. Social: the Next Steps in the National Alcohol Strategy

Do relevant politicians/policy makers refer to the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in a manner that suggests it is a priority area?

Yes, in documents

Document references:
Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy
Prime Minister meets with alcohol industry over binge-drinking culture

In your opinion, taking into account everything you know, what level of real priority does the present government place on alcohol control policy? (1 is low priority, mostly rhetoric; 10 is high priority, much action)

8

In your opinion, taking into account everything you know, what level of real priority does the present government place on the prevention of the harm done by alcohol? (1 is low priority, mostly rhetoric; 10 is high priority, much action)

8

What is the recent trend (past several years) in resource allocation to alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol?

Small increase in resources

What was the amount of funds allocated to alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol in the most recent national budget (Euro):	No data entered
Budget year:	No data entered

National level, governmental policy documents on alcohol policy and on preventing the harm done by alcohol been published in the following areas:

Drinking and driving. Document references: Combating Drink Driving: Next Steps - A Consultation Paper Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Tomorrow's roads: safer for everyone: the Government's road safety strategy and casualty reduction targets for 2010 Education and public awareness. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Sensible drinking - the report of an inter-departmental group Safe. Sensible. Social: the Next Steps in the National Alcohol Strategy Packaging and labelling of alcohol products. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Sensible drinking - the report of an inter-departmental group Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks (Third Edition) Taxation of alcohol products. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Sensible drinking - the report of an inter-departmental group Illicit trade in alcohol products. Document references: Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Availability of alcohol, including licensing. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Alcohol, crime and disorder: Home Office Research Study no. 263 Alcohol-related crime and disorder data: guide for local partnerships; Home Office online report 08/03 Reducing alcohol-related violence and disorder: an evaluation of the 'TASC' project: Home Office Research study 265 Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Licensing Act 2003 Guidance for local partnerships on alcohol-related crime and disorder data: development and practice report Sensible drinking - the report of an inter-departmental group Time for Reform: proposals for the modernisation of our licensing laws: Cm 4696 Guidance issued under section 182 ofthe Licensing Act 2003 Police powers to close premises under the Licesning Act 2003 Sales to minors. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Underage drinking: findings from the 1998-99 youth lifestyles survey: Home Office Research Findings no. 125 Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Alcohol advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Sensible drinking - the report of an inter-departmental group Alcohol and crime: taking stock Drinking, crime and disorder: Home Office Rsearch Findings no. 185 Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Guidance to Police Officers on the Operation of Closure Powers in Part 8 of the Licensing Act 2003 Tackling alcohol related crime, disorder and nuisance Action Plan 1 Alcohol Advertising: Consultation Document Young people and alcohol advertising Reducing harm in drinking environments. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Prevention and reduction of alcohol misuse: Evidence Briefing Alcohol, crime and disorder: Home Office Research Study no. 263 Alcohol-related crime and disorder data: guide for local partnerships; Home Office online report 08/03 Reducing alcohol-related violence and disorder: an evaluation of the 'TASC' project: Home Office Research study 265 Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Licensing Act 2003 Guidance for local partnerships on alcohol-related crime and disorder data: development and practice report Alcohol and crime: taking stock Drinking, crime and disorder: Home Office Rsearch Findings no. 185 Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Guidance to Police Officers on the Operation of Closure Powers in Part 8 of the Licensing Act 2003 Tackling alcohol related crime, disorder and nuisance Action Plan Help and treatment for alcohol problems. Document references: Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project Review of effectiveness of treatment for alcohol problems Models of care for alcohol misusers Choosing health: making healthy choices easier Alcohol misuse interventions - Guidance on developing a local programme of improvement Help and treatment for family members. Document references: Interim Analytical Report: Strategy Unit Alcohol Harm Reduction project

Regional level, governmental policy documents on alcohol policy and on preventing the harm done by alcohol have been published in the following areas:

Drinking and driving. Document references: Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Education and public awareness. Document references: Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Calling Time; The Nation's drinking as a major health issue Packaging and labelling of alcohol products. Document references: Alcohol and the Young Marketing Alcohol to Young People - An Industry Out of Control Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks (Third Edition) Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Taxation of alcohol products. Document references: Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Calling Time; The Nation's drinking as a major health issue Illicit trade in alcohol products. Document references: Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Travellers' allowances within the EU. Document references: Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Availability of alcohol, including licensing. Document references: 'A Continental Ambience?' Proposal for a study of the urban management of mixed-use entertainment neighbourhoods in northern Europe Good Practice in Managing the Evening and Late Night Economy: A Literature Review from an Environmental Perspective Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Calling Time; The Nation's drinking as a major health issue Sales to minors. Document references: Alcohol and the Young Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Calling Time; The Nation's drinking as a major health issue Alcohol advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Document references: Alcohol and the Young Marketing Alcohol to Young People - An Industry Out of Control Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Calling Time; The Nation's drinking as a major health issue Reducing harm in drinking environments. Document references: 'A Continental Ambience?' Proposal for a study of the urban management of mixed-use entertainment neighbourhoods in northern Europe Good Practice in Managing the Evening and Late Night Economy: A Literature Review from an Environmental Perspective Point of Sale Promotions: A Good Practice Guide for Pub Owners and Licensees Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Alcohol - can the NHS afford it? Recommendations for a coherent alcohol strategy for hospitals Help and treatment for alcohol problems. Document references: Report on the Mapping of Alcohol Services in England Alcohol - can the NHS afford it? Recommendations for a coherent alcohol strategy for hospitals Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy Help and treatment for family members. Document references: Report on the Mapping of Alcohol Services in England Tackling Alcohol Together: The Evidence Base for a UK Alcohol Policy

Non-governmental (private enterprise, research institute, NGO, etc.) policy documents on alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol have been published in the following areas:

Drinking and driving. Education and public awareness. Packaging and labelling of alcohol products. Taxation of alcohol products. Availability of alcohol, including licensing. Sales to minors. Alcohol advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Reducing harm in drinking environments. Help and treatment for alcohol problems. Help and treatment for family members.

Name up to five of the most senior government officials with responsibility to oversee/manage alcohol control policy and the prevention of the harm done by alcohol. Organisational references: Department of Culture, Media and Sport Department of Health Department of Health, UK Home Office Home Office, UK, Drugs and Alcohol Research Unit

Evaluation -

Are national alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol policies evaluated and reported?

Yes

Document references:
Safe. Sensible. Social: the Next Steps in the National Alcohol Strategy
Implementation of the Licensing Act 2003: A National Survey
A Practical Guide for Dealing with Alcohol Related Problems: What You need to Know
Violent Crime, Disorder and Criminal Damage Since the Introduction of Licensing Act 2003
Expecting Great Things: The Impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on Democratic Involvement, Dispersal and Drinking Cultures.

Monitoring and/or surveillance -

Are national alcohol policy monitoring and/or surveillance activities published?

Yes

Document references:
Statistics on alcohol: England 2007

Knowledge development -

Provide organisational reference(s) for the principal bodies (e.g. academic bodies, public health laboratories, agencies, government units) that are involved in developing the knowledge base for alcohol control and prevention policies. Organisational references: Alcohol and Health Research Trust Alcohol Concern Alcohol Education and Research Council Alcohol Policy Team, Department of Health Centre for Health Economics Centre for Public Health Department of Addictive Behaviour & Psychological Medicine Institute of Alcohol Studies International Centre for Health and Society Leeds Addiction Unit National Addiction Centre

Implementation -

Provide organisational references for the principal bodies (main providers) that are involved in implementing intervention programmes and other actions for alcohol control policy. Organisational references: Advewrtising Standards Authority Alcohol Concern Department of Culture, Media and Sport Department of Health, UK Home Office, UK, Drugs and Alcohol Research Unit Portman Group

Information dissemination -

Provide organisational references for the principal bodies that are involved in information dissemination and other actions to keep health care professionals informed about managing hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence. Organisational references: Centre for Alcohol and Drug Studies National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse Society for the Study of Addiction The Medical Council on Alcohol

Programmes -

How available are programmes for preventing the harm done by alcohol? Provide document reference(s) for some of the key programmes that exemplify high quality. (1 is not available; 5 is widely available)
Public education through mass media	3
Comprehensive community based	2
Home/family	2
School	5
College	4
University	4
Work place	3
Primary health care	3
Hospital/clinic	2
Internet	3
Social welfare and youth services	2
Custodial settings (prisons, probation, etc.)	3
Other:

Professional workforce -

Is higher education in alcohol control policy and/or the prevention of the harm done by alcohol available from at least one institution of higher education? Yes Organisational references: Department of Addictive Behaviour & Psychological Medicine Imperial College, University of London John Moores University, Liverpool Leeds Addiction Unit University of Liverpool University of Surrey

Funding -

Are funds dedicated to alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol clearly identifiable in the most recent national budget?

Funds are available for alcohol, but mixed in with other funding and hard or impossible to link explicitly with alcohol.

The arena/activities are indicated for which earmarked funds are provided:

Are funds dedicated to alcohol control policy and/or programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol clearly identifiable in the budgets of non-governmental institutions (foundations, private institutes, welfare societies, professional groups, etc, associations)?

Yes

The arena/activities are indicated for which earmarked funds are provided:

Personal evaluation of the state of the field -

List up to five key recent advances in your country related to alcohol control policy:

- Publication of National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy and its revision and up-dating - Some improvements in alcohol licensing legislation and related regulatory framework - Increased salience of alcohol issues related to Prime Ministerial involvement - Changes to planning controls RE licensed premises - Promotion of improved response to alcohol problems within health service (current)

List up to five key recent advances in your country related to the prevention of the harm done by alcohol:

- No data entered - No data entered - No data entered - No data entered - No data entered

List up to five key barriers/obstacles/issues that stand in the way of achieving, in your country, action on alcohol control policy:

- The Government - Alcohol and associated industries - Absence of organised movement as counterbalance to alcohol industry lobby - Substantial public ignorance of harms and costs at societal level - Contemporary value system largely inimical to alcohol control policy

List up to five key barriers/obstacles/issues that stand in the way of achieving, in your country, action on the prevention of the harm done by alcohol:

- The Government - The alcohol and associated industries - Absence of significant organised movement to counterbalance the pro-alcohol lobby - Public opinion and media comment often hostile to the policies most likely to be effective in reducing harm - Political pressure to give priority to illegal drug issues

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key advances that are needed to support implementation of evidence-based alcohol control policy in your country:

- Exposure/diminution of unduly close relationships between Government and alcohol industry - Reduced gap between national policy and the evidence base - Re-structuring of Governmental departmental responsibilities - Appropriate amendments to alcohol licensing and road safety legislation - Establishment of independent body to advise and monitor implementation of national alcohol strategy

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key changes that are needed in your country, to achieve the advances above:

- Increased public understanding of benefits of reduced national consumption of alcohol - Greater knowledge of social costs of alcohol problems - Diminution of unduly close relationships between Government and alcohol industry - Greater civil society involvement in alcohol prevention - Formulation of specific targets for alcohol-harm reduction

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key advances that are needed to support implementation of evidence-based the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in your country:

- More consistent application of public health criteria to alcohol taxation - Clearer goals and targets than are contained in the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy - Better management of the night-time economy - Increased resources for prevention and management - Policies to delay onset of regular drinking in children and adolescents

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key changes that are needed in your country, to achieve the advances above:

- Improved education and training for health and social services personnel - Improved coverage of workplace alcohol policies - Fuller use of drink drive countermeasures to identify and target harmful consumption - More co-ordinated alcohol research programme - No data entered

List up to ten persons who you believe are important for action on alcohol control policy and the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in your country. Organisational references: Alcohol and Health Research Centre Alcohol Concern British Beer & Pub Association Centre for Health Economics, University of York National Addiction Centre Portman Group Royal College of Physicians The Royal College of Psychiatrists Turning Point