Push for tougher alcohol laws
Alcohol consumption has a direct link to the causes of cancer, according to University of Otago professors.
Professors Doug Sellman and Jennie Connor spoke in Richmond last night about the ‘‘101 things the alcohol industry won’t tell you about’’, particularly its link to chronic health issues such as cancer.
The forum identified international and national research by Connor being used to push the government toward adopting an ‘‘evidence-based alcohol policy’’.
She said most of the population were unaware of the direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer which she and the Alcohol Action NZ advocacy team hoped to highlight during their tour.
‘‘The estimate is about 230-250 deaths per year from cancer due to alcohol,’’ she said. ’’Our overall aim is to work toward changing government policy on alcohol that will reduce consumption across the whole population.’’
Sellman has been working in the addiction treatment field since 1985 and became involved in the advocacy project after he came across some of Connor’s research which he said exploited ‘‘fragile’’ claims alcohol consumption was ‘‘safe’’.
‘‘The evidence for the link between alcohol and cancer is very strong whereas the link between alcohol use and cardio protection is very weak. The industry continues to get stories in newspapers along the lines that it’s good to have a few drinks because it’s good for your heart,’’ he said.
‘‘There’s a great desire by everybody to think our favourite drug is also a health tonic. What better situation could there be? So it’s kind of hopeful thinking.’’
He said the move to highlight the health dangers of alcohol consumption ‘‘followed in the wake of the tobacco reform’’ and was no different to the conversation started by health experts about 40 years ago to build a case against that industry.
‘‘The tobacco industry often skated the truth back then just like the alcohol industry is often skating the truth now. Once it got out there in the public and the public really started to understand and see the deceit and lies of the industry that’s when the pack of cards started to collapse,’’ he said.
Those who attended the session in Richmond were invited to join the local advocacy group which aim to hold another forum next year and continue to push the government for stronger policies which protect the public against the ‘‘harms of alcohol consumption’’.