The negative and destructive impact of alcohol misuse on health and family life in the district is to be tackled following a six-month scrutiny of the issue which laid bare the true extent of the problem.

A sub-committee of Bradford Council's Health Improvement Council was set up to investigate the problems around alcohol misuse after becoming in-creasingly concerned about the toll being taken of the district's health.

Alcohol misuse causes about 200 premature deaths in the Bradford district each year and 5.2 per cent of the population is dependent on alcohol.

Around 84,000 people in the Bradford area are drinking above the sensible drinking limits and one in three cancer deaths can be attributed to alcohol misuse.

Yesterday, the sub-committee's chairman Councillor Michael Kelly detailed initial recommendations produced after hearing evidence from doctors, health officials, an alcoholic, the mother of an alcoholic and others whose lives or occupations had been affected by alcohol abuse.

Among the recommendations is the creation of a Bradford and District Alcohol Information Service to serve as a hub for the collection and dissemination of information on the harmful effects of alcohol and the availability of suitable treatments.

Key to the success of the plan, the sub-committee found, was that the Council and partners need to ensure clear and acces-sible information is provided to the public on the potential harmful effects of alcohol.

Emphasis will be placed on encouraging people not to be deterred from seeking help at an early stage and making sure people know how much alcohol is deemed harmful.

The sub-committee is also calling on the Government to tax alcohol relative to its strength and amend the 2003 Licensing Act to include considerations of public health.

All doctors and dentists in the district will be called on to screen for alcohol-related diseases, retailers should adopt clear label-ling on alcohol, detailing alcohol unit content and licensed premises should provide low alcohol drinks at reasonable prices.

Councillor Kelly said a final report would be now be drawn up and published in the new municipal year.

"We are not against the consumption of alcohol but need to promote sensible consumption," he said.

Councillor Dale Smith, executive member for adult services, who sat though much of the harrowing evidence taken during the scrutiny, said alcohol misuse cut across all communities and welcomed the "significant and substantial scrutiny" and the resulting recommendations.

He said: "It should be read, understood and taken to heart by all communities across the district.

"For many it is only too late in the day they learn of possible support for their loved ones and I am glad this will be addressed."

e-mail: claire.lomax @telegraphandargus.co.uk