Where do we all stand on alcohol and its effects? Often, our industry is accused of ambivalence – or, worse.

It’s true that earnings from alcohol are part of the growth of the leisure industry; it’s also true that people gain health and social benefits from moderate drinking levels.

A report three months ago from the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit pointed to patterns of heavy and binge drinking as a serious issue for the UK.

The results are increasing premature deaths and health problems, and alcohol-related disorder and injuries. Statistics released last week by the Office of National Statistics show that the problems don’t lie on just one side of the bar.

Of 353 occupations analysed, bar staff and publicans (both male and female) were most at risk from drink-related death. Other occupations in our industry also had high indicators of alcohol-related mortality, eg chefs/cooks, waiters/waitresses, and kitchen and catering assistants.

Anything new here? No – the first analysis by the Registrar General to examine male mortality by occupation, for men dying 1890 – 1892, found levels of mortality from alcoholism among “innkeepers and their servants” which were seven times higher than for England and Wales as a whole.

Is it just exposure to alcohol that’s the key? It’s not that simple. Research shows a range of causes, like social pressure to drink at work, separation from family or social relationships, lack of supervision, very high or very low income levels, collusion by colleagues, stress (including danger, responsibility and job insecurity) and recruitment of people who already drink heavily.

The costs? As many as 17m working days may be lost each year through alcohol-related absence; some £6.4bn a year in lost productivity; social disorder; and of course, much individual and family pain and suffering.

Across this great and fast growing industry, there must be concern and action to deal with alcohol misuse and its effects.

Our own people are at special risk – as well as our customers.

The Government wants to work in partnership with the drinks industry, but at ISPAL we think that this partnership approach needs to embrace the wider tourism and leisure sectors. ISPAL will be giving that message to our Government colleagues.

Do you have views on the priorities for industry and Government action? Do contact [email protected] with your comments.