Almost 63,000 people in England will die over the next five years from liver problems linked to heavy drinking unless cheap alcohol is tackled, doctors warn.

Doctors are urging the government to introduce minimum unit pricing of alcohol, as well as tighten restrictions on drink advertising.

Research from the University of Sheffield reveals that alcohol misuse will cause 62,905 deaths between 2017 and 2022 and cost theNHS £16.74 billion.

Of these deaths, 32,475 will be the result of liver cancer and 22,519 due to alcoholic liver disease, the report adds.

According to the Foundation for Liver Research, inaction by the government is leading to avoidable loss of life.

Almost 63,000 people will die over the next five years from heavy drinking, doctors warn

TEENAGERS ARE LESS LIKELY TO BINGE IF THEIR PARENTS SHOW DISAPPROVAL Teenagers are less likely to drink if their parents show disapproval, research revealed earlier this month. Study author Ms Jacqueline Bowden from the University of Adelaide, said: 'Parents have more influence on their teenagers' decisions regarding alcohol than they probably realise. 'Parental behaviour and attitudes towards alcohol really do make a difference and can help prevent children from drinking at an early age.' Mr Lincoln Size, chief executive cancer council SA, who supported the study, added: 'This latest evidence highlights the need to educate young people about the consequences of alcohol consumption and for parents to demonstrate responsible drinking behaviour. 'We need to get the message through that what may be considered harmless fun actually has lifelong consequences.' Advertisement

Raising the cost of alcohol saves lives

Liver specialist Professor Roger Williams, said: 'Liver disease is a public health crisis that has been steadily unfolding before our eyes for a number of years now and the government will have to take robust action if its main causes – alcohol misuse, obesity and viral hepatitis – are to be controlled.

'Our new report strengthens the argument for intervention by revealing the full and alarming extent of the financial costs associated with inaction in these areas and setting out the economic benefits of addressing these risk factors,' The Guardian reported.

Katherine Brown, director of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, has accused the government of doing little towards tackling alcohol-related mortality despite evidence that implementing such policies reduces deaths and hospitalisations.

She adds that the report demonstrates the financial burden alcohol misuse has, which puts further strain on the NHS, police and public services.

Raising the price of cheap alcohol is the most effective way to save lives and money, adds Ms Brown.

Andrew Langford, chief executive of the British Liver Trust, highlights the need for prevention over treatment, arguing that three out of four people with liver conditions are diagnosed in hospital when treatment options are limited and expensive.

Saves more than 1,000 lives in five years

The research from the University of Sheffield demonstrates that introducing a 50p minimum unit price for alcohol would save 1,150 lives, 74,500 hospitalisations, £326m to the NHS and £711m costs in crime in England in less then five years.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA), said: 'Previous estimates suggested that in the first year after the introduction of MUP in England, 192 lives would be saved.'

The research comes as the supreme court holds the latest round over the Scottish government's plan to introduce a 50p minimum unit price for alcohol.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and others are appealing against the move.

Wales and Northern Ireland are in talks to introduce similar policies.

Professor Gilmore urges the UK government to note the research and introduce minimum unit pricing.

A Department of Health spokesperson stated that it has made moves to tax higher strength beer and cider more than equivalent lower strength products, as well as introducing a childhood obesity plan, guidance on low-risk drinking and a free screening programme.