Alcohol-related deaths have risen by 40 per cent in 10 years, new figures show.
Government's top doctor recommends price hike for alcohol
Department of Health admits that alcohol is one of the most challenging public health issues faced by it
The number of women dying from alcohol-related causes increased by 32 per cent and male deaths rose by 43 per cent.
In 1999 there were 5,287 deaths in England and Wales due to alcohol which rose to 7,341 in 2008, according to Government data.
There has also been a 24 per cent increase in deaths in people under the age of 40.
Shadow Home Office Minister, James Brokenshire, said: "I am increasingly worried that the Government's decision to introduce 24 hour drinking is having a real impact on anti-social behaviour in our town centres and not nearly enough is being done to tackle it.
"The impact on services like the NHS really can't go on."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Norman Lamb said: "This is horrifying evidence of the scale of the alcohol crisis facing this country.
"Unless the Government invests in treatment services, puts an end to alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices, and starts educating our children, then these figures are set to get even worse."
The figures relate to clear cases where the death was caused by diseases where the majority of cases are caused by alcohol such as cirrhosis, however other data which takes into account diseases like cancer where some cases are caused by alcohol and others are not, show an even higher death toll.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Alcohol is one of the most challenging public health issues we face. We are working harder than ever to reduce alcohol related hospital admissions, and to help those who regularly drink too much or are dependent on alcohol.
"Around 15,000 people die due to alcohol related issues every year. We are tackling this serious problem by making sure the local NHS has the right services in place. For every pound spent on alcohol intervention, five pounds are saved by the public purse ? so this is money well spent."
Government's top doctor recommends price hike for alcohol
Department of Health admits that alcohol is one of the most challenging public health issues faced by it
The number of women dying from alcohol-related causes increased by 32 per cent and male deaths rose by 43 per cent.
In 1999 there were 5,287 deaths in England and Wales due to alcohol which rose to 7,341 in 2008, according to Government data.
There has also been a 24 per cent increase in deaths in people under the age of 40.
Shadow Home Office Minister, James Brokenshire, said: "I am increasingly worried that the Government's decision to introduce 24 hour drinking is having a real impact on anti-social behaviour in our town centres and not nearly enough is being done to tackle it.
"The impact on services like the NHS really can't go on."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Norman Lamb said: "This is horrifying evidence of the scale of the alcohol crisis facing this country.
"Unless the Government invests in treatment services, puts an end to alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices, and starts educating our children, then these figures are set to get even worse."
The figures relate to clear cases where the death was caused by diseases where the majority of cases are caused by alcohol such as cirrhosis, however other data which takes into account diseases like cancer where some cases are caused by alcohol and others are not, show an even higher death toll.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Alcohol is one of the most challenging public health issues we face. We are working harder than ever to reduce alcohol related hospital admissions, and to help those who regularly drink too much or are dependent on alcohol.
"Around 15,000 people die due to alcohol related issues every year. We are tackling this serious problem by making sure the local NHS has the right services in place. For every pound spent on alcohol intervention, five pounds are saved by the public purse ? so this is money well spent."
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