Liver disease 'epidemic' warning in North East

Hospital admissions for alcoholic liver disease among people in their early 30s in north-east England have increased by more than 400% over eight years. It compares with the national rise of 61% and is described as an epidemic. Figures produced by Balance, the North East Alcohol Office, found 189 hospital admissions for 30-34 year olds in 2010 compared with 37 in 2002. Liver specialists have written an open letter to the government calling for changes to advertising law. They describe said more needed to be done to protect young people. 'Change habits' Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals liver specialist Dr Chris Record said: "Only a few years ago alcoholic liver disease was very unusual in this age group and unless our drinking habits change, the problem is only set to worsen. "The earlier the age at which children drink, and the more they drink, the greater the chance of developing serious live disease in adult life. "Many patients are now presenting with terminal liver disease in their late 20s and early 30s." Balance is running a campaign calling on the government to prevent alcohol advertising on television and in cinemas unless an 18-certificate film is showing. It wants an end to the sponsoring of sporting and cultural events by alcohol manufacturers. Balance director Colin Shevills said: "Our region is drinking too much from an early age driven by alcohol which is too affordable, too available and too heavily promoted. "It is particularly concerning as here in the North East we have the highest rate of 11-15-year-olds who drink in England and the highest rate of under 18s admitted to hospital because of alcohol."