Things the alcohol industry won’t tell you about alcohol

101 things the alcohol industry won’t tell you about alcohol… let’s start with
this one – ALCOHOL CAUSES CANCER

Media release sent on behalf of Alcohol Action, who have arranged a free public lecture at the Education Centre, 889 Cameron Road, Tauranga Hospital

on Tuesday 16 August 2016 6.30pm – 8pm.

New Zealand’s leading experts in public health and alcohol harm, Professor Jennie Connor and Professor Doug Sellman, will be in Tauranga to present on behalf of the Alcohol Action NZ group the evidence that alcohol directly causes cancer. They will also be discussing the way the alcohol industry creates doubt about the evidence, just like the tobacco industry have done in the past with the link between tobacco smoking and cancer, says spokesperson Dr Tony Farrell.

Local General Practitioner and Alcohol Action member Dr Farrell said, “A lot of people may not realise the serious long term harm that regular consumption of alcohol can do. This presentation is about delivering the facts so people can make informed choices about alcohol consumption and their health.”

Professor Connor has published information recently showing there are around 250 alcohol-related cancer deaths a year in New Zealand. About 60% of these deaths in women are due to breast cancer, a third of which occur in women drinking on average less than two drinks a day. These premature deaths from cancer result in an average 10.4 years of life lost per person affected, with more loss of life among Māori than non-Māori, and for breast cancer compared with other cancers.

Alcohol Action NZ points out that New Zealand is in the midst of a national alcohol crisis, which is under-recognized. The organisation argues for evidence-based changes to New Zealand's alcohol laws in order to reduce the enormous alcohol-related harm, both chronic diseases and acute injury.

These changes include dismantling alcohol marketing, increasing the price of alcohol; reducing alcohol accessibility; raising the legal purchase age, and increasing drink driving counter measures.

ends

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