With growing concerns over vaccines triggering autism in young toddlers, the last thing that parents want to hear is about another vaccine; however in light of ground-breaking research, a new vaccine has emerged to fight against gut bacteria which, it is said, can also fight against autism symptoms. The gut bug known as Clostridium Boltae is said to caught disorders in the gut, which are also said to be found commonly in autistic children, with over 90% of children suffering from chronic, severe gastrointestinal symptoms and another 75% suffering from diarrhoea. Whilst it is unclear as to why autistic children are susceptible to the bacteria, the vaccine is an attempt to reverse the effects. With autism cases rising sixfold within the past two decades, the rising concerns and sheer mystery as to why remains unclear. Whilst some researchers claim that it is the environment, others believe that the gut is the primary cause – even though they are not sure why. The vaccine is the first of its kind that is designed to fight this type of gut bacteria. There are some suspicions that the bacteria inject toxins or metabolites into its host, which may then control or trigger the symptoms and causes of autism – in particular, regressive autism. The downside to this vaccine is that it may take more than ten years to go through pre-clinical and human trials – longer still will be the process of making the drug marketable. It is uncertain as to whether this two-decade increase will continue to grow within the next decade. For researchers however, this is the first – and significant – step into resolving the autistic mystery. With the vaccine able to introduce antibodies quickly for the body's immune system to detect and identify, the toddler can be protected from the risks of intestinal infections and also, perhaps more importantly, the lifelong risk of autism. For them, it is better late than never at all.

How a nation pays for its health care is a problem that has been exercising – and continues to exercise – the best political and economic brains in the world. But even providing basic at-point-of-need care for everyone won’t solve how to care for disabled children in the US, many of them from families who have health insurance but not enough to provide for the 24-hour care their child needs. A child with autism, for example, is likely also to have other special needs that require specialist care. A lifelong development disability, autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to the world and other people around them. Autism is also a spectrum condition so while each person with autism may show similar problems, the condition will affect the individual in different ways and to a greater or lesser extent. Some of the more severe conditions associated with autism include cortical vision impairment and developmental cognitive disability. The American charity, Autism Speaks, has calculated that the cost of caring for someone with autism over the course of their lifetime is $2.3million. With little or no state help available, that means the burden of providing that care falls squarely on the shoulders of families. And as estimates suggest that around 1 in 50 children will be born with autism, it is clear that this is a problem that is only going to grow. John Nadworthy and Cynthia Haddad are the authors of The Special Needs Planning Guide. Each has a special needs child so the book is written with their own personal experience very firmly behind it. The book aims to give parents the tools to providing the right care for their child and getting the family finances in shape to deal with the burden of taking care of a special needs child for all that child’s life. Theirs is a chronological guide, starting from birth through to adulthood, offering advice on finance, insurance, legal matters, state benefits and – importantly – dealing with the family and emotional issues around a disabled child. Even a family with no financial worries can benefit from advice on dealing with the care of a special needs child.

Folic acid has long been recommended during pregnancy to help reduce the risk of many health concerns in the unborn child, but new studies suggest that it could help to prevent autism from developing. The March of Dimes, a private US group, has gone even further to suggest that all women of a childbearing age should take this potent B-vitamin, even if they aren't planning to get pregnant, as it can help to reduce the risk of autism in everyone. The neural tube is the origin of the brain in the foetus and this closes very early on in the development of the child. It is when this tube is damaged that defects can occur. Such defects include spina bifida, which is a condition where the spine is damaged, as well as some brain defects. When looking at the impact of folic acid on the formation on the neural tube, they noticed that it had a positive effect on the prevention of autism as well. Studies found that the risk was 40 percent lower in those who had taken folic acid than those who hadn't. Folic acid can be found in many foods, including green leafy vegetables such as spinach and cabbage, fruits and nuts, which naturally contain folate. This vitamin helps the body to develop new cells. The majority of pre-natal supplements will contain this as it is a vital nutrient in the healthy development of your child. As many pregnancies are unplanned, folic acid supplements from a childbearing age are important to reduce the risk in the early stages of development, where the sensitive stage of pregnancy holds the risk of autism developing. If you're unsure whether you're getting enough folic acid, check with your GP who can advise you.

A new government scheme has been designed to tackle the problem of long term sickness absence. It is all too common an occurrence, according to government sources, that workers go on sick leave and end up being absent for months at a time. This can affect family wellness as it leads to the worker feeling a lack of dignity and self-worth, as they are not able to work and support their family. Carl Lightbown has been on the receiving end of this new pilot scheme, after falling victim to a work-related injury. His wellness was affected by shoulder problems, which are very common in manual workers but often see people signed off for weeks and even months whilst they await NHS treatment. Fortunately, however, Car lives in Leicester, where they are piloting the new government scheme. When Carl saw his GP, he was referred to the scheme, known as Fit For Work, where his wellbeing was assessed by a free occupational health service. The service is designed to help people get back to work quickly, in the knowledge that the longer they are out of work, the harder it is for them to return and the less likely it is that they will be able to return to the same job. It is also a money-saving enterprise, as sick leave costs the UK approximately 15bn per year in lost economic output. The service, which is due to spread across England, Wales and Scotland next year, offered Carl immediate physiotherapy sessions rather than him having to join the rather long waiting list to receive help on the NHS. He was also given a phased return to work, to enable him to return to his job quickly but also safely. Despite doctors predicting that his leave would have to be long term, Carl was back at work in less than four weeks.

Your family doctor has probably given a placebo to at least one patient. This is according to a survey published in PLOS One, which found that most family doctors hand out a placebo at some point in their career. Of 783 GPs polled, 97% admitted that they have advised a patient to take a sugar pill or treatment with no established efficacy for the ailment they came in with. Roughly one in 10 of the GPs reported giving a patient a sugar pill or an injection of salty water rather than a real medicine at some time in their career, whilst one in 100 of them even admitted that they did this at least once a week. However, the study authors, from the University of Oxford and the University of Southampton, asserted that doctors are still doing this with family wellness in mind, and are not simply trying to deceive patients. According to the Royal College of GPs, there is a place for placebos in medicine, but some may be inappropriate and could cause side effects or issues such as drug resistance. Antibiotics for suspected viral infections, for example, was one of the placebo treatments identified in the study but not only are these powerless against viruses, but doctors are actually told not to use them. Yet the placebo effect, in which you get better just because you’ve taken something, can be very strong. Studies have found that even when IBS patients take a dummy pill knowingly, they still report wellness improvements. Dr Clare Gerada, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, commented that, as long as placebos don’t cause harm to a patient’s wellbeing, and aren’t expensive, they’re perfectly acceptable to use. ‘Lots of doctors use them and they can help people. If you think about it, a kiss on the cheek when you fall over is a placebo,’ she said. ‘But there are risks. Not all of the placebo treatments that the researchers looked at in this study are inert. If you take too many vitamins, for example, some can cause harm.’ She added that it is never acceptable to fob patients off with an ineffectual treatment, ‘But admitting to your patient that you do not know exactly what is going on, but that a therapy might help is.’

A new surge of students from the University of Alberta have spoken that they wish to become family doctors – more than double the percentage from ten years ago. For better or worse, the news has come not long after the discovery that families are struggling to find a physician. The broad range in which a family doctor can specialise in has become the boon of the medical industry; whilst less specialised and technical than other medical programs, the career of a family doctor is a much-needed necessity in modern living. The career of a family doctor is perhaps not that it holds the prospect of money-making. Indeed the demands placed upon a doctor's shoulders can be both tiresome and claustrophobic, as it is a lifestyle that is without scheduling and a call can happen on the spur-of-the-moment. As such, the pricing for a family doctor can be an increasingly high one – a daunting factor for any young student. For some, it is the reward of helping others – a young, but positive outlook towards the future. With some wishing to bend their craft towards particular settings, from rural to suburban, no price is too great when people need help. The benefits of a face-to-face, hands-on approach towards this role suggests that patients are far more at ease and perhaps even more satisfied than the immediate rush perpetrated by hospital doctors. One student remarked that, “The relationships you can form with your patients, those professional relationships are positive in terms of improving patient care because you have the opportunity to look at the person as a whole rather than just one small tidbit of their medical history, and you become an integral part of the community.” The diversity of work is both challenging and satisfying, with the unpredictability coming towards family doctors each day. Perhaps it is merely a question of personality, where the needs of the patient will always be the spirit of family doctors across the globe. For Alberta at least, the need is great – and its potential doctors are only too pleased to answer its call.

Pet owners are well-known for their devotion to their animal friends, often treating cats and dogs, rabbits and budgies as part of the family. The British in particular are recognised worldwide for their love of animals. Now a survey by the social networking site My Social Petwork has confirmed that UK pet owners are just mad about their animals, cancelling dates and even calling in sick for the sake of their pet. More than 1,100 pet owners took part in what was described as the UK’s “first pet census”. Around half admitted they’d rather cuddle their pet than a close relative when they are feeling down. One in five say they have ditched nights out and other social occasions to be with their pet while a third confessed to spending up to 30 days a caring for their moggies, pooches and other pets. Of those quizzed, 7% said they had cancelled a date because they preferred to spend the time with their pet while 4% have called in sick to work when Fido or Tiddles is ill. My Social Petwork has been dubbed “Facebook for pets” and its survey revealed that one in 5 UK pet owners happily uses social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to share images and updates about their pets with friends. And if you have ever taken your pet along when you’ve gone to a wedding or a christening, you are not alone – apparently 10% of pet owners have done the same thing. The reality is that for many people, their pet is hugely important to their emotional wellbeing – a quarter of those who took part in the survey said they regarded their pet as more like a child than a pet and one in 6 even admitting confiding their problems in their animals. The health, emotional and psychological benefits of pet owning are well-known and it seems in the UK that animal lovers are both giving and receiving an incredible amount of love from their pet.

Some people are just animal people and others aren’t. For those that aren’t it, can be confusing and a little bemusing as animals lovers fuss and moon over their pets or go to the ends of the world to make sure an animal charity is supported. Alternately, animal lovers can find the seemingly callous nature of others cruel and uncaring. The two groups generally don’t clash as animals aren’t something which comes up regularly in most places but when they do, the debate can get fairly fierce. The economy has been bad for a long while now and people are really starting to feel the fiscal bite of the recession. Without as much disposable income available to us, certain ambitions have to be put on hold. People simply cannot afford new cars, new homes or children. Surprisingly children are hugely expensive and people have estimated an expenditure of around £25,000 to feed, clothe and educate a child until the age of 18. Most people simply don’t have that kind of money and they believe, rightly so, that if they can’t afford kids then they shouldn’t be having them. Expecting the rest of the country to carry your progeny is wrong. To fill the void until they afford children, many people are adopting pets instead. This is great news for the adopted animal and cats and dogs do have a lot of the same needs as kids do. They certainly lap up all the attention you give and dogs certainly reflect it back at you in the form of endless and boundless love. The issue is when this is taken too far and you start feeding your dog as you would a baby. The fact is at hat a lot of human food is incredibly bad for animals and feeding it to them could be potentially deadly. Chocolate for example is poisonous to dogs.  

Arthritis is a chronic joint condition that affects more than just humans – our dogs are also at risk of contracting the disease. As with osteoarthritis in humans, which generally affects us as we age, arthritis is most likely to affect older dogs. However, the condition can and does strike at any age. As our dog grows older, the tissue that surrounds the joints begins to thin and wear, leading to joint damage and causing inflammation and pain that makes it difficult for the dog to move as he once did. Unfortunately, just as with humans, there is no cure for the condition and treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory drugs. You might spot early signs of the symptoms of arthritis in your dog – these might include favouring a limb, difficulty in sitting or standing, hesitating when running or jumping, moving stiffly and showing less interest in playing or walking. Once the condition has been diagnosed, your vet is likely to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with pain relief medication. In extreme cases, surgery might be an option to replace a joint damaged beyond repair. Your vet will recommend the right course of exercise for your pet and the right diet to keep its weight under control and protect painful joints. The biggest issue facing you as a dog owner is administering effective pain relief to your pet. Your dog cannot tell you how much its joints are hurting and as dogs have a lower pain threshold than humans, your dog might be struggling to deal with the aches that come from arthritis. Talk to your vet before giving your dog any pain medication that is recommended for humans. Aspirin is often suggested as a good pain reliever but, again, don’t give any to your animal until you’ve been given the go-ahead. Other well-known pain medications available on prescription from your vet are rimadyl (Carprofen) and polysulphated glycosaminoglycan, which is known as Adequan and when injected, can offer pain relief for up to six months. Supplements containing omega 3 or glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate can also offer a natural remedy to pain and symptom relief for arthritis in your dog.

Whether you get along beautifully or not, your relationship with your parents is likely of high significance in your life. In their own way, they have been there for you, no matter what has happened in your life. Your parents have always provided you with the encouragement and love you needed to make your way through life, and you know they always will. As you watch your parents climb the ladder of their golden years, you know you would do anything for them if it meant it was in their best interest. Yet, when you suggested an assisted living arrangement for them, you have been met with aggression. You know in you heart that it is the right thing to do because you cannot always be there for them, and you need to know that they are okay. You thought that they would understand this and would agree, but it turns out they have apprehensions. You must understand that transitioning into an assisted living situation is not always easy for our parents. Many believe that it is a loss of their independence. Others believe it is an indication that they have become frail. Still others see it as a “death sentence” and that they are being sent there to die. Knowing and understanding that your parents probably feel one of these ways will allow you to approach the subject from a different point of view. If you really believe that your parents are better off in a situation that will offer them the consistent care they need, try the following approach to help you and them get aligned with the assisted living option. • Search For Assisted Living Communities First Research the communities in the area and decide which have the most options your parents will appreciate. Each community may have different levels of activities and different levels of medical assistance. Keep in mind that the community surrounding the facility itself may be a factor for your parents.  For example, assisted living Dunwoody Georgia may offer the scenery and familiarity that may be of more comfort than a facility in the middle of metro Atlanta. Try to match your parents' interests to the community, and bring packets of information with you to show them why you believe they would enjoy moving to this community. • Talk To Residents If you really want to know what the community is like, stop and talk to the residents. Most of these people will be happy to talk to you about it. You will learn more from the residents than in any other manner. Ask these residents if your parents could make contact with them to have any questions answered. • Explain Your Feelings Share with your parents that you will feel more comfortable knowing that there is always help available to them if the need should arise. Let them know how their well-being and happiness is very important to you and that you are afraid when they are alone. Show them how much research you have conducted to make sure that they would be happy. Ask them to at least go and visit one or two of the communities with you before they say no. Many parents, once they actually see the community, find that it is exactly where they want to live. Transitioning to a new home can be difficult for anyone at any age. There is always an adjustment period, and there is always a longing for what we once had. This can even be scarier for the elderly who have dedicated many decades of their lives to one home or area and are then asked to give it up and move somewhere else because of their age. Show your parents the love, compassion and patience that they have given you throughout your life, especially when you had important decisions to make. In the end they will see that you are right and that they will be much happier in this type of environment, and that it will also make you happy. Akilah Richards is a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) who helps families address and act upon the decisions that benefit the family in personal and professional ways.  As she watches her mother care for her own mother, age 91, she recognizes the importance of making the decision to do what is best for the medical and emotional needs of her aging mother. If your elderly loved ones can benefit from assisted living Dunwoody Georgia, consider contacting the staff at Dogwood Forest to schedule a tour.

As a nation, Australia, along with many others, is gradually getting fatter and fatter. Family wellness becomes more of a struggle as the perils of obesity start to take their toll. Wellness awareness campaigns, however, have at least made sure that people are in the know about what they should be doing for their wellbeing, even if they are not actually doing it. Iconic business, Golden Door Health Retreat, says that even in these difficult economic times, business is booming. They say that more people than ever are becoming aware of the health benefits of spas and health retreats. Once viewed as a luxurious passtime for the rich and famous, health retreats do not just open their doors to sports champions, celebrities and rock stars; many ordinary people pass through their doors, looking for a healthier style of holiday. Over time, the health retreat has evolved from an old fashioned ‘fat farm’ type of idea to a modern, 21^st century retreat, where clients are able to kick start their wellness with a bit of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. People who are looking to make big changes in their life in terms of their wellness can benefit from going away on a health retreat to truly take some space to think through their life patterns and what they need to do in order to take better care of their health and wellbeing. They are often simply looking for a bit of guidance in making these important changes, and need some support as they get started on what is often not a very easy process. Research shows that around 40 percent of the population would like to make a change in their lives, but many of them feel that they are a bit lost, and really benefit from the types of sessions such as coaching that these health retreats offer. Individual coaching sessions can focus on movement, nutrition or just general wellness and offer a tailor-made programme for both men and women.

There has been a news story all over the media recently involving former Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne and his estranged ex-wife Vicky Pryce. The former minister was accused and convicted of lying about speeding points – his wife had taken the blame for him to stop him losing his driving licence (which would have been a blow, at the time, to his rising political career). Both Huhne and Pryce were given eight-month jail sentences for attempting to circumvent the legal system. One of the more bizarre things about the case was that it wouldn’t have even come to attention if it hadn’t been for Pryce herself, who revealed her involvement in the cover-up in the hope of bringing down her ex-husband. The pair were made an example of for a relatively minor offence – but rightly so. However, one of the biggest messages coming from the story is that you shouldn’t let divorce ruin your life. Pryce, who attempted to spite her ex-husband to see him punished, ended up being locked up as well for her involvement in the crime. It could be argued that she would have been better showing forgiveness rather than bitterness to Huhne. It shows that she was not considering her children and how the whole case might affect them. During the long legal battle both sides aired each other’s’ dirty laundry in an attempt to show up exactly who had done wrong and escape jail time. This culminated in texts from the couple’s children being read out as evidence, showing a fury towards Huhne, who was blamed for the situation. This will have had a devastating effect on both the child and parent. It only highlights, however, that Huhne and Pryce were not putting their children first with them being embroiled in this battle. If they had been more willing to forgive and set a good example for their children the whole situation could have been resolved in a much nicer way.

World Tourism Day lands on 27^th September every year and celebrates the cultural and social impacts of travel and tourism. But just as important, let’s celebrate the impacts travelling has upon your own wellbeing in the world’s most popular feel good destination.

There are many destinations in this world where the emphasis is on bringing you to an inner place of joy and spirituality. New Orleans in Louisiana is such a place that touches the soul. Eat, Sing, Love would be the title of a film about New Orleans alongside its tagline: “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).

New Orleans is known for its music and in particular jazz; an easy listening feel good genre.  Research tells us that music increases our heart rates and can relax us by inspiring movement as we tap our feet and sway our bodies which enhances our mood and can trigger memories which bring positive emotions. The fact that music is processed in many different ways, and has physical, emotional and cognitive effects, may be the key to its power.

Jody Hanson, UK Sales Director, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau states:  “It is a city that creates memories for each of your senses; the sound of music floating through the French Quarter, the smell of the Cajun and Creole cuisine on every cobbled street, the soft touch of the Spanish moss on oak trees that line the magnificent Garden District streets or the taste of a long cool Mint Julep cocktail on a warm sunny day!”   

New Orleans is a very large walking city. We all know walking is good for us as it helps keep the cardiovascular system running which helps our metabolism and increases our fitness. It is also good for the mind as walking releases endorphins; enhancing our mood to relieve stress. Endorphins will make us feel positive, and therefore we will attract more positive circumstances into our lives. Endorphins can even relieve diabetes and can lower blood pressure resulting in decreased risk of heart disease. New Orleans was voted in the top 10 best cities to walk in the USA.

Another major spice in the New Orleans platter of excitement is food. Some people eat to live, but ‘New Orleaneans’ live to eat.

Jody comments further by stating: “New Orleans is a city that you explore and that will also change your perspective on life, if only for a day or two.  The heady mix of exotic, excitement and spirit is contagious.” There is good reason to adopt your new perspective for after you leave as well.

Touring and travelling in general can be of great benefit to our wellbeing. Seeing the world in a new light can provide us with a more optimistic perspective which may enable us to face challenges and feel the fear and do it anyway. We can become the masters of our own world and take the journey of inner travel.

World Tourism Day created by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation was created in 1980 with a purpose to raise awareness on the role of tourism and demonstrates how it affects social, political, economic and cultural values worldwide. To find out more about WTD visit wtd.unwto.org
For more information on New Orleans please visit: www.neworleanscvb.com 
 

Music research source: http://www.teachingexpertise.com/articles/how-music-can-promote-wellbeing-1437
Walking research source: http://www.walkingforwellbeing.org.uk http://www.vitaminstuff.com/articles/healthfitness/articles-healthfitness-1.html
New Orleans walking award: http://walking.about.com/od/trailusaeast/a/neworleans.htm

World Tourism Day which lands on September 27^th will focus the theme of this year on ‘Travel & Sustainable Energy’. But as people focus on preserving the health of the planet, sometimes they forget one thing…themselves!

Self-rejuvenation and revival is important in order to stay effective. In the 24/7 world of constant information, stress levels can soar and sleep patterns can become non-existent. Sense of self can be lost and a disconnection from the inner place of home may be felt. The Canyon Ranch spa in Lenox, Massachusetts is one of the few spas to offer health packages designed to “take you to the next level of personal potential and power and change the way you see yourself and the world.”

In the Inspired Living Health Package, insights will be gained that will take the guest to a higher level of awareness and understanding. Guest will learn to integrate spirituality into daily activities to create a life of greater meaning and connection.

Spirituality is important for mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. It is a primary coping resource on the journey of recovery and healing.

Massachusetts hosts many spas and retreats offering a wide range of relaxation services and help for trauma, eating disorders, chemical dependency, depression and more.

Julie Greenhill, UK Account Manager for Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism comments: “I am often very busy at work and don’t have much me time. I took a trip to the Berkshires this Easter and it was the best thing I ever did. It was a very beautiful location and the peace and quiet was very relaxing. I came back so focused and ready to work. I no longer saw work as a battle, but an enjoyable past time.”

World Tourism Day created by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation was created in 1980 with a purpose to raise awareness on the role of tourism and demonstrates how it affects social, political, economic and cultural values worldwide.

For more information about Canyon Ranch visit: http://www.canyonranch.com/lenox/ and for more information about Massachusetts visit: www.massvacation.com. To follow updates On WTD please visit: http://wtd.unwto.org/.

Canyon Ranch operates two US destination resorts. The resorts have accommodations for short or long term visits and also residential homes and condos. Canyon Ranch's offerings are designed as a program for the improvement of health and wellness habits, but the resort may also be used for relaxation. Guests and residents have access to a spa, spa services, enrichment classes, exercise classes, cosmetic services, healthy dining, and various resort facilities. Preventative and diagnostic medical services are also offered.

Quoted by BBC News: Alcohol sensors should be in every car to cut drink-related road deaths and injuries, says the government's former chief drugs adviser.

David Nutt says motorists would have to breathe into the devices before starting their car, to test they were not over the limit.

Prof Nutt was sacked from his post three years ago after clashing with Labour ministers over drugs policy.

He later set up the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs.

That body ranked alcohol as a more harmful substance than heroin and cocaine.

He also said people in the UK would be less inclined to get drunk if they were able to smoke cannabis at Amsterdam-style "cannabis cafes".

Alcohol suggestions

Prof Nutt, president of the British Neuroscience Association and a professor at Imperial College, London, said Britain was facing a "public health crisis" of "immense proportions" because of a rise in the number of alcohol-related illnesses and deaths.

Although he welcomed plans for minimum unit pricing in England, Wales and Scotland, saying it will have a "big impact" on heavy drinkers, Prof Nutt said much more must be done.

In his new book, Drugs - Without the Hot Air, he suggests seven ways to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.

They include shorter licensing hours, compelling pubs and supermarkets to sell non-alcoholic lagers and beers alongside alcoholic drinks and devising less dangerous alternatives such as drinks which give people a moderate "buzz".

One of his most controversial suggestions is for the "wider use" of alcohol detectors that won't allow cars to start if the driver's drunk more alcohol than the legal limit.

Prof Nutt told the BBC that some countries used the in-car breathalysers, known as alcohol ignition interlock devices, to ensure that people convicted of drink-driving don't take to the wheel, but he had an even more "radical" idea.

"You could potentially have it so that was true of all cars - everybody would have to breathe in [to the device] before they were able to drive away," he said.

"You hear about terrible accidents when four or five young people die simultaneously in the one car because the driver's been drunk. It could save a lot of lives."

'Worth investigating'

Provisional figures for 2010 show there were 250 drink-related road deaths in England, Wales and Scotland. A further 1,230 people were seriously injured and 8,220 were slightly hurt.

Robert Gifford, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Transport Safety, gave the idea a cautious welcome, but said it would have to go hand-in-hand with lowering the drink-drive limit from 80 mg/100 ml of blood.

"It's certainly worth investigating," Mr Gifford said.

But the Department for Transport said it had no plans to install in-car breathalysers in cars - or to use them to test drink-driving offenders.

A spokesman said: "These schemes are very difficult to manage because offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive. We are also not persuaded as to their effectiveness in changing long-term behaviour."

He added: "We are always willing to consider new initiatives to combat drink driving and of course would consider any new research or technology in this area."

Professor Nutt also re-iterated calls he has made previously for drugs to be decriminalised, saying there should be a system of "regulated access" from pharmacies.

Drug laws

He suggested establishing a network of coffee shops, similar to those which exist in the Netherlands where people can buy small quantities of cannabis for personal use.

"I've spoken to a lot of young people and they would prefer to go out and have a joint than get drunk - but they have no choice. "

He said if cannabis cafes were set up in Britain up to 25% would switch to smoking the drug rather than drinking alcohol, leading to less drunken behaviour and violence.

Prof Nutt is due to give evidence in June to the Home Affairs Select Committee, which is conducting a wide-ranging inquiry into the effectiveness of Britain's drugs policy including the arguments for decriminalisation.

But the Home Office has made clear on a number of occasions that it has no intention of liberalising the drugs laws.