​The Commission on Alcohol Harm is today launching a call for evidence as part of its inquiry into alcohol harm and the changes needed to reduce the damage caused by alcohol.

The Commission will hold three oral evidence sessions across the UK later this year, and has launched a call for written evidence, with submissions welcomed before the deadline of 17 February 2020.

The Commission is interested in receiving evidence from professionals with experience of the consequences of alcohol harm, particularly those working in dentistry, who often witness the impact of excessive drinking in their work.

With excessive alcohol consumption linked to an array of oral health problems including oral cancer, tooth decay, tooth erosion and accidental dental trauma, dentists and dental nurses can provide expert insight into these areas of alcohol harm.

Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: “The Commission on Alcohol Harm is an extremely important investigation into how all parts of our society are impacted by our drinking habits.

“We need to have voices representing the wide range of experiences of alcohol harm; including those on the front-line, researchers and those with first hand experience of alcohol harm. Together, we can build a solid case for change.”

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Chair of the Commission on Alcohol Harm, said: 'Alcohol plays a huge part of the everyday lives of many people across the UK, and therefore it is important to examine its impact on our society more closely. We need to understand how our drinking habits affect our own health as well as the way alcohol can affect those around us.

'We welcome the input of those who face the effects of alcohol harm in their professional or personal lives in order to help us make meaningful recommendations on a vision for the future.'

To share your views, please submit written evidence to harms_commission@ahauk.org by 17 February 2020. Visit the AHA website for submission guidelines: http://ahauk.org/commission-on-alcohol-harm

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