Drinks promotion taken off sale

I was pleased to read this article in the South Wales Echo today.

I commented last week on a promotion that a club in Cardiff was running – 10 alcoholic drinks for £10. The concern that we have is that such deals encourage binge drinking which can have long term effects on health.

The club has now withdrawn the offer – hopefully taking on board our comments.

All these promotional activities serve to normalise alcohol as an essential part of every day life, so it is no surprise that young people are drawn to alcohol.

In a bid to tackle the soaring cost of alcohol-related harm, particularly in young people, we would like to see a total ban on all promotional deals like happy hours, two-for-one purchases and ladies’ free entry nights.

There can be no more softly, softly approach. The access and affordability of alcohol must be tackled head on.

BMA Cymru puts the focus on the dangers of tanning

This article in the South Wales Echo today explains a bit more about our short film “A tan to die for”.

I’m glad to see it getting coverage before the debate today – we have sent it to all Assembly members to remind them about the dangers that sunbeds can cause, giving expert views as well as the views of schoolchildren.

Thanks for all the positive feedback we have been receiving about the film clip – this is a public health campaign that we feel strongly about and it’s good to know the public are behind it too. If you haven't viewed it yet the link is below.

A tan to die for

This Wednesday a debate on the Health Committees report on the use and regulation of sunbeds in Wales takes place in the Plenary session.

BMA staff have produced a short information video and sent it to all Assembly Members ahead of the debate to remind them of the risks that sunbeds pose to the people of Wales.

We are hoping that they will support the recommendations of the committee.

In 2010 there is no excuse for the danger to public health posed by unregulated, unsupervised, coin-operated sunbeds.

The BMA Cymru production “A tan to die for” is on YouTube, and features Welsh schoolchildren giving their views on tanning, as well as consultant dermatologist Sharon Blackford and Cardiff North Labour MP Julie Morgan, who BMA Cymru Wales have work worked closely with in the campaign for UK legislation to ban children from using salons.

View the film (in two parts) here – and tell us what you think of it!

Dr Andrew Dearden gives evidence to Assembly Health Committee on Sunbeds

Ahead of next Tuesday’s Assembly debate on the Heath Committees report on the use and regulation of sunbeds in Wales – we thought readers might want to know what BMA Cymru Wales said in our evidence to the Committee inquiry - and what regulation we have called for.

In this video, Chairman of BMA Welsh Council Dr Andrew Dearden, gives evidence to the Committee.



Our written evidence, including our recommendations, is also available to view here.

Irresponsible drinks promotions in the capital

Shocking article in the South Wales Echo today which reveals Cardiff clubs offering deals to lure people in like 10 drinks for £10.

It is no surprise that young people are drawn to alcohol as all these promotional activities serve to normalise alcohol as an essential part of every day life.

The truth is, there is nothing glamorous about drinking too much alcohol – it wrecks health, lives and families.

As a GP I see many families torn apart by alcohol problems. Alcohol often plays a major part in domestic violence and the breakdown of relationships.

I see many patients suffering ill effects because of alcohol. Many are disbelieving when I point out the effect of alcohol on their condition – “everyone I know drinks like I do, many drink more”, they say.

It is not infrequent to find patients with fatty liver in their 30s and 40s, and when asked about previous alcohol consumption often describe heavy or binge drinking when a student in their 20s.

The misuse of alcohol is related to over 60 medical conditions including heart and liver disease, diabetes, strokes and mental health problems – it costs the NHS millions of pounds every year and is linked to accidents and street violence.

In a bid to tackle the soaring cost of alcohol-related harm, particularly in young people, BMA Cymru Wales calls for a total ban on all promotional deals like happy hours, two-for-one purchases and ladies’ free entry nights.

There can be no more softly, softly approach. The affordability of alcohol must be tackled head on.

What do you think about drink promotions?