What the papers say - June 18, 2007

Britain will be gripped by a liver disease epidemic within 15 years because of drinking, doctors will say on TV tonight. Experts tested the health of livers of 70 daytime passers-by at mobile clinics in London and Birmingham for a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation. Half had liver damage caused by alcohol consumption - The Times​

A man was killed and another injured yesterday in two episodes of "tombstoning", in which thrill-seekers leap from cliffs into the sea. Coastguards are preparing for further injuries as the summer months attract millions of holidaymakers to Britain's seaside. Tombstoning had until recently been seen as the preserve of West Country teenagers, but coastguards say that it has now been embraced by alcohol-fuelled adults seeking to emulate the younger jumpers - The Times​

Mars UK tried to curry favour with health chiefs by halting production of its super-size chocolate bars to help to tackle obesity. But, instead of shrinking its bars, the confectionery giant has simply split them in two, selling both parts inside one wrapper. Health campaigners are now accusing the manufacturer of cynicism and are questioning the company's commitment to improving the nation's diet - The Times​

The climb in UK inflation expectations could be explained by the rising cost of high-visibility items and increased coverage of the subject in the media, according to research released today by the Bank of England. A report in the central bank's Quarterly Bulletin argued that a rise in UK inflation expectations since 2005 could not just be put down to rises in actual consumer price inflation data - The Financial Times​

More than a third of employers are planning to axe cigarette breaks when the smoking ban comes into force in England next month. A survey of over 250 firms revealed that 36 per cent planned to axe smoking breaks when the ban becomes law. But business leaders said such a move would be 'excessive', while trade union officials warned it could spark unrest and encourage staff to break the law - The Daily Mail​

The number of women found guilty of drink or drug driving has risen by almost 60 per cent since 1995, figures obtained by Liberal Democrats have shown. The research shows a 58% increase in women of all ages from 6,793 in 1995 to 10,765 in 2004 - a rise of 3,972 - compared with a slight fall among men - The Daily Mail​

Drivers in South Wales will soon be able to order the caffe latte, cappuccino or macchiato of their choice from the comfort of their cars. Starbucks Coffee Company, the purveyor of caffeine to the global masses, is to open the UK's first "drive-thru" coffee shop - The Telegraph​

Organic food sales in Britain topped £1 billion in the past year, figures show. The amount spent on pesticide-free goods in shops rose by 9.3 per cent in the year to March 2007. Organic alcohol is also selling well, with sales up 13.6 per cent to £24 million. But the sales growth rate slowed to nearly half that of the previous year - possibly due to limited supplies, The Grocer magazine suggested - The​ Telegraph​