Latest news with #AlcoholChangeUK
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
UK supermarkets exploit tax loophole to produce cider at ‘pocket-money prices'
Supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi and Lidl are exploiting a tax loophole to produce and sell cheap cider that harms health and causes social problems, alcohol campaigners have claimed. Over recent years, ciders – sometimes containing as much as 7.5% alcohol – have become cheaper or barely risen in price, despite the cost of beer, wine and spirits soaring, according to research by Alcohol Change UK. Supermarkets are able to sell high-strength ciders at 'pocket money prices' by taking advantage of a subsidy intended to boost apple production, Alcohol Change UK says. It means that the cheapest cider Tesco sells – Compton Orchard, which is 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) – now costs the same as the supermarket's own-brand apple juice, at just £1 a litre. While the apple juice has risen 70% in cost since 2020, the cheapest cider costs 2.4% less now than the equivalent product then. A 2.5-litre bottle of Frosty Jack's cider, which is 7.5% ABV, has only increased in price by 5.3% since 2020 – from £4.89 to £5.15 – despite consumer price index inflation having been 26% over that time. But the cost of a pint of cider bought in a pub has gone up since 2020 by an average of 15.5%, from £3.88 to £4.48, Alcohol Change UK's research found. Similarly, the cost of two litres of own-brand cider in both Lidl and Aldi is still £1.99, even though Lidl's own-brand vodka is 25% more expensive. Under UK law, cider that is between 3.5% and 8.5% ABV is only taxed at £9.67 per litre of alcohol. That is just 46% of the £21.01 per litre of alcohol rate applied to beer. Ash Singleton, Alcohol Change UK's director of research and public affairs, said: 'Big producers knock up a deadly product with just enough concentrated apple to legally call it cider – and pocket the tax breaks. Supermarkets drive the demand, stocking it high to flog at pocket-money prices. 'From unsafe streets to NHS pressure and early deaths, working-class neighbourhoods bear the brunt of this irresponsible profit racket left by the last government.' Singleton urged ministers to 'fix the system, starting by scrapping the super-strength subsidy'. The charity has written to Ashley Dalton, the public health minister, saying the tax loophole 'allows multinational companies to cash in on reliefs meant for genuine small UK-based cider makers'. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion It said super-sized and high-strength cider was leading to early deaths. The charity said: 'It is unacceptable that the alcohol industry continues to push the cost of harm on to communities and stretched NHS and police services, while cashing on tax breaks to do so.' The British Retail Consortium, which represents supermarkets, did not respond to the disclosure that many ciders have barely risen in price while the cost of other alcoholic drinks has surged. A spokesperson said: 'Supermarkets have led the way in helping their customers drink responsibly, adopting the health department's labelling to give customers clear information about the alcohol they sell and how that relates to recommended guidelines. Working with other partners, such as the Drinkaware Trust, this has helped deliver a fall in excessive drinking. 'Increasing duties on cider would penalise the vast majority of consumers who already drink less than the government's recommended limits [of 14 units a week].' Tesco said it did not sell super-strong cider. A spokesperson said: 'We adhere to all UK pricing regulations on cider. Compton Orchard cider is 4% ABV, similar in strength to a regular lager, and we train our colleagues to use Think 25 and to ensure they sell all alcohol responsibly.' Lidl, Aldi and Compton Orchard were approached for comment.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'Dad was rarely drunk but he'd always be drinking'
Two brothers are cycling nearly 500 miles (804 km) in memory of their father, who died from health complications linked to alcohol Shone, 34, and Olly Shone, 32, want to raise awareness about alcoholism after their dad, Phil Shone, struggled with the condition for decades and was unable to receive the help he needed. The brothers will set off on Saturday from Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, and attempt to cycle Fort William in Scotland to raise funds for Alcohol Change UK. Olly said: "If this results in even just one person learning about the charity and seeking support to help with their sobriety then I'm happy." Olly, who plays for the Bristol Pitballs Ice Hockey Team, added: "Dad was one of those people you instantly gravitate towards - a likeable, chilled, stubborn guy with great humour who was the soul of everywhere."He had long term struggles with alcohol for 30 years. [He] had a time before Covid when he decided to go sober, which he did for a year, and it changed his life outlook on life. "He was much happier and content in general, but he was very reluctant to seek support." Sam, who is a teacher and an ex-Bristol Pitballs player, told the BBC they weren't sure how long their dad was struggling with his addiction when he was alive. He said: "He was very rarely drunk but he'd always be drinking."When we saw his medical notes afterwards, we learnt he'd been to the doctor [about the addiction] 30 years prior."Finding out bits and pieces after was really tough - and so many times he could have caught it." Phil was told a year before Covid he would have to stop drinking if he wanted to go ahead with an important became sober for a year and started cultivating a love for walking and photography, which he'd post on Facebook. He relapsed during lockdown. Sam said: "I wish that I had really lifted him when he was putting those pictures up. "Now he's not here and I look back at it - he was putting stuff up there to fill a void." Alcohol Change UK The funds raised will support Alcohol Change UK's mission to create a society free from the harm caused by alcohol, the pair who is now a father himself, said his dad didn't know about the charity before he passed."If he had," he added. "Maybe he would have sought support with them due to their soft approach."
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Health
- New York Post
New study shows exact age smoking, drinking triggers health issues
Live fast, face health issues young. People who had an unhealthy relationship with smoking, drinking and exercise early in life ended up on the fast track to mental and physical health troubles by their mid-30s, according to a new study by the Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland. 'Our findings highlight the importance of tackling risky health behaviors, such as smoking, heavy drinking and physical inactivity, as early as possible to prevent the damage they do to from building up over the years,' lead author Dr. Tiia Kekäläinen said in a news release on April 24. Advertisement 3 Individuals with poor habits early in life can encounter significant issues by the time they reach their mid-30s. urbazon Issues caused by bad habits can arise as early as the age of 36, the study showed. Researchers found that there is an increased risk for health issues and depression as the individual increasingly participates in smoking, drinking and physical inactivity. Advertisement More specifically, the study found that smoking was linked to poor mental health, exercising less than once a week was linked to poor physical health and alcohol led to a decline in both mental and physical health. According to numbers from the study and data from Alcohol Change UK, a heavy drinker is considered to be a man who consumes approximately 735 12 ounce bottles of 5% ABV beer per year and a woman who consumes approximately 515 ounce bottles of 5% ABV beer per year. But the heavy drinking classification can change depending on the type of beverage a person consumed, per Alcohol Change UK. 3 The study found that smoking was linked to poor mental health. Sophonnawit Inkaew Advertisement 'Non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer cause almost three-quarters of deaths worldwide,' Dr. Kekäläinen added. 'But by following a healthy lifestyle, an individual can cut their risk of developing these illnesses and reduce their odds of an early death.' The study followed the mental and physical health of hundreds of people born in 1959 in the southern Finnish city of Jyväskylä. The participants' data was collected when they were 27 (1986), 36 (1995), 42 (2001), 50 (2009) and 61 (2020-2021). 3 Heavy drinkers saw a decline in both mental and physical health. ZzzVuk Advertisement The study initially involved 326 participants and ultimately ended with 206 participants. Even though the study concluded that 'preventing these behaviors early in adulthood and midlife is crucial to avoid their accumulation and subsequent health risks,' Dr. Kekäläinen suggested that people can still make positive changes that could impact the rest of their lives. 'However, it is never too late to change to healthier habits. Adopting healthier habits in midlife also has benefits for older age,' said Dr. Kekäläinen. Dr. Kekäläinen warned that these results may differ for younger generations due to 'cultural and societal changes and partly different risky behaviors occurring nowadays.' A 2023 Gallup survey found that roughly 38% of adults under 35 claim they never drink, representing a 10% increase compared to what was reported two decades prior. The study's authors add that they did not examine the participants' dietary habits and suggest that other factors should be considered in future studies.
Sky News
13-04-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Low-level drinkers have increased cancer and cardiovascular risk, study finds
Low-level drinking can increase your chances of cancer and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study. Research conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team, on behalf of the charity Alcohol Change UK, examined the drinking habits of more than 4,000 UK adults. It found that people who consumed alcohol within the NHS guidelines had worse health than non-drinkers. Compared to people who never consumed alcohol, rates of cardiovascular disease increased from 1% to 5%, for cancer it went from 1% to 4%. The study also found "low-risk" drinkers reported reduced sleep quality, worse daily functioning, and poorer dental health, compared to those who have never consumed alcohol. With over 30 million people in the UK drinking at these levels, campaigners are calling for people to rethink their drinking habits. Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: "For decades, we've fallen prey to a binary but false idea that 'drinking problems' only affect a minority of people with alcohol dependence. "But as this research makes clear, alcohol is taking a toll on our health and wellbeing right across the drinking spectrum, even at 'low-risk' levels." The NHS recommends that people should not consume more than six pints of medium-strength beer or 10 small glasses of lower-strength wine a week, but scientists warn that it is the way some people consume those volumes of alcohol which can be problematic for their health. Professor David Nutt, a former government chief drugs adviser, said some view 14 units a week as a target and others binge drink. "There are people who think, 'I've got 14 units, I can have seven drinks on a Friday, seven on a Saturday, that's okay'. "We know that drinking the maximum allowance in one or two goes is very dangerous. That is where the data becomes quite complicated because some of the harms are undoubtedly magnified by binge drinking within that low-risk weekly level." Nathan Eades, 37, runs two high-end pubs in Cheltenham and used to regularly drink large quantities of alcohol but has recently changed his habits. "Being able to cut out alcohol from having five, six pints at the end of a shift to maybe one vodka soda, two vodka sodas a week has really helped benefit us as a business and me as a person," he said. "After you have probably had one too many, how do your family take it? How are your co-workers interacting with you? How are they feeling with your mood swings, brain fog and irrationality? That is the area which we all need to be a bit more mindful of." Alcohol Change UK is calling on the government to introduce health risk labelling on alcohol as well as marketing restrictions so that people have more information about the alcohol they are consuming and are not so regularly being encouraged to buy drinks. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We recognise the need for urgent action to reverse the unacceptable levels of alcohol harm and deaths. "As part of our Plan for Change, we are shifting our focus from sickness to prevention, prioritising early intervention and health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives across the UK."
The Guardian
04-02-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Isabelle Szmigin obituary
My wife, Isabelle Szmigin, who has died aged 68 after a series of strokes, was professor emerita of marketing at Birmingham University and an honorary professor at Henley Business School. She was dedicated to her work in education. Even in retirement she taught consumer behaviour on international MBA programmes in Finland and Denmark, with plans to do the same in Singapore. She also served as chair of the board of trustees for Alcohol Change UK and her guidance helped the charity thrive. Born in Worcester, Isabelle was the daughter of Josie (nee Gill), a nurse, and Stan Kalinowski, a consultant at the Royal Worcester Infirmary and a Warsaw uprising survivor. She went to Worcester girls' grammar school and studied history of art and architecture under Neil MacGregor at the University of Reading in the 1970s. Isabelle and I met at a party in 1979 and hit it off, having in common 'awkward' Polish surnames and a love of art and culture. We married in 1980. She encouraged me to pursue an MBA, which then led her to undertake one herself at Cass Business School (now Bayes BS), City, University of London. She gained a distinction; and also won the Stanley Coglan prize, awarded by the Market Research Society in 1984. After raising our two sons, Isabelle earned a PhD at the University of Birmingham and joined its faculty in 1996, eventually becoming a professor of marketing in 2007 and later deputy dean of the business school. Her academic achievements included more than 90 research papers, the supervision of 15 successful PhDs, and co-authoring a well-regarded textbook, Consumer Behaviour (2022). Her father's lineage of theologians, doctors and intellectuals, including a bishop of Leipzig, perhaps inspired her unrelenting drive and curiosity. Colleagues remember her as 'positive, constructive and energising'. Isabelle's influence extended beyond academia. As a BBC Expert Women graduate, she appeared in hundreds of radio interviews and numerous TV segments, offering insights on consumer behaviour. She also contributed articles to the Guardian. Isabelle's heart was firmly rooted in family life. She delighted in birthdays, holidays and long walks with our border terrier, Jessie. She found beauty in life's simplest joys – morning birdsong, blackberry-picking and her grandchildren. She is survived by me, our sons, Alexander and Nicholas, and four grandchildren, Maxwell, Lara, Georgina and Constance.
