'Irish pub trade in crisis as 1,500 close over five years'

More than 1,500 pubs, hotels and restaurants have gone to the wall in the past five years, costing thousands of jobs, a stark survey will reveal today. And one in three rural pubs now say they will struggle to survive into the future, despite massive efforts within the industry to woo more customers - Irish Independent​

The heaviest drinkers in Scotland pay less for their drink than other people. A study of heavy drinkers consuming hundreds of units of alcohol a week found they were buying cheaper drink than most other people. One study author said it was "likely" a minimum price for alcohol, as proposed by the Scottish government, would cut these problem drinkers' consumption. A total of 377 people were interviewed as part of the research carried out by experts from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital - BBC News​

The home secretary faces mass resignations from the government's drug advisory body over his decision to force out its chairman, who accused ministers of distorting scientific evidence on cannabis. Professor David Nutt claimed that ecstasy and LSD are less dangerous than alcohol. Two members of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs resigned yesterday in protest at Alan Johnson's treatment of Nutt. Another member told the Guardian that the experts were "planning collective action" against Johnson, adding: "Everybody is devastated. We're all considering our positions" - The Guardian​

Senior doctor says few understand that excess weight is linked to cirrhosis, diabetes and hypertension. One of the country's most senior doctors has warned that obesity will overtake alcohol as the main cause of liver cirrhosis in the "not too distant future". Professor Christopher Hawkey's comments come as a new poll shows that more than five out of six people are unaware the disease is linked to excess weight. "Obesity is the biggest health problem we face this century," said Hawkey, president of the British Society of Gastroenterology - The Guardian​

The number of violent attacks committed by strangers has hit its highest level for at least a decade. Victims did not know their assailants in more than one million incidents last year - or two every minute. It means strangers are now responsible for half of all violent crime after the menace rose sharply under Labour - Daily Telegraph ​

Health warnings should be shown on supermarket food-and-wine deals because they encourage heavy drinking among middle-aged professionals, alcohol abuse campaigners claimed. Popular £10 deals offering 'food and wine for two' run by Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Sainsbury's encourage couples to share a bottle of wine a night, according to the British Liver Trust. It says the food and drink offers are displayed outside the alcohol section where customers are alerted to sensible drinking messages - Daily Mail​