RCP comment on Nuffield Council on Bioethics report

12 November 2007

Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians said:
"The Royal College of Physicians welcomes the Nuffield Council's examination of public health policy issues, and is pleased that their recommendations on alcohol issues emphasise an evidence-based approach.

We agree that the conclusions in the WHO document 'Alcohol:  No Ordinary Commodity' on price, marketing and availability of alcohol are the way forward to counteract the health damage from alcohol misuse.

Their call to examine the impact of 24-hour licensing on consumption as well as anti-social behaviour is particularly welcome, as this is most likely to impact on the health of the nation in the long-term."