Shock as health inquiry finds culture of booze and fast food

Councillors on a health watchdog body say they were concerned by some of findings relating to drinking and eating habits.

In a 31-page draft report the councillors, members of a scrutiny health inquiry, concluded that cheap alcohol and the licensing laws had led to a rise in alcohol-related health problems and increased disorder.

The committee concluded that alcohol is too cheap and that a minimum price should be set by law. "We were dismayed to hear some of the changes to the age profile of patients suffering from chronic conditions – learning that it was not uncommon for young people in their 20s to present with cirrhosis of the liver," the report noted.

"We were also appalled to hear details of typical alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the city's A&E departments. While we were not presented with any hard data suggesting a direct link between the changing profile of alcohol-related hospital attendance/admissions and changes to the licensing law – such changes were irrefutable."

Councillors said the Licensing Act 2003 did not include in its objectives any consideration for "public health" which they said "is a significant failure of current licensing regulations."

"In addition, while we heard of general support for the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol....we were also advised that a previous attempt to consider the introduction of minimum pricing had floundered due to a lack of provision under the Licensing Act 2003 and existing competition laws."

Despite this, councillors concluded that alcohol prices should be fixed.

"From the evidence presented to us, we believe that the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol is highly likely to be the most effective intervention to reduce alcohol-related harm. As such, we believe immediate action is needed in this regard."

Members of the committee were also concerned by the number of fast food outlets in some parts of the city.

Councillors want to look at the possibility of limiting the number of fast food outlets.

The report said: "We were also extremely concerned by the high concentration of fast food outlets across parts of Leeds – in particular the most deprived areas of the city.

"We heard, anecdotally, of work being undertaken in other parts of the country aimed at limiting or reducing the number of fast food outlets and improving the quality of food available."

The report says that something has to be done to "reverse the rise in levels of obesity across the city", adding: "We feel more work is needed in this area, to specifically identify examples of good practice that may be transferable in the Leeds context."

A further concern identified by councillors is the lack of open spaces for people to exercise and take in fresh air. They concluded that city planners had a key role to play in bringing about "fundamental changes to help promote and encourage healthier living and more active lifestyles."

The report, which is being discussed at a meeting today of the Scrutiny Board (Health), concludes that much more needs to be done by bodies including the council to improve public health.

"We feel we have barely scratched the surface during this inquiry and believe there are opportunities to identify further improvements – not least by further expanding the range of evidence considered."