FASD News - 1/2025

The University of Auckland (New Zealand) - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: help at hand
How best to support people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their whānau is the focus of a new study at the University of Auckland.
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University of Queensland - UQ research aims to improve fetal alcohol spectrum disorder diagnosis
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can be difficult to diagnose, but University of Queensland researchers have established the most scientific approach to detecting the disorder.
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Clare Echo (Ireland) - FASD Ireland launch Christmas & New Year campaign
ENNIS BASED, FASD Ireland which supports people and their families living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, have launched their 2024 Christmas and New Year campaign.
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Irish Examiner (Ireland) - Pregnant women urged not to drink alcohol over Christmas over health risks to children
Pregnant women are being urged not to put their children’s health at risk by drinking alcohol during the Christmas season.
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News24 (South Africa) - 'I wish I could go back and make different choices': Eastern Cape mom's fetal alcohol regrets
An Eastern Cape mother revealed how stress during her pregnancy led her to alcohol, resulting in lasting health problems for her child.
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Waatea News (New Zealand) - New campaign promotes alcohol-free pregnancies
The Government has just launched its new ‘Nurture the Future Within’ public health campaign, aimed at preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by promoting alcohol-free pregnancies.
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CanFASD - Updated Issue Papers on the Prevalence of FASD
CanFASD recently updated two issue papers on the prevalence of FASD: one about estimated rates in the general prevalence, and one in special populations.
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FASD United (USA) - FASD United Shares Concerns About Alcoholic-Drink Mini Toys
FASD United shares the concerns expressed by the organization Alcohol Justice and others about new alcoholic-drink themed miniature toys sold under the brand “MGA Entertainment’s Make It Mini Happy Hour.”
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CanFASD (Canada) - 2024 Year in Review
As we wrap up 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the progress and impact CanFASD has made over the past year. From hosting webinars, to publishing research to launching a new fund, we’ve worked hard to bring important information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to our community and beyond.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
AFMCTV - AFMC TV ENCORE Episode 177 - Shaneca Smith - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Dive into the vital mission against Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Arkansas with Shaneca Smith on AFMC TV. Learn why there's no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy.
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Mitzi, Let's Think About It! - LTA "FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)." W/SG Patti Kasper
Patti came on to my show to share her perspective with me in such a way that I kept thinking about this topic after the recording ended. How could we not consider how many women drank alcohol during their pregnancy in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s and even to this day?
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Able to Care Podcast - Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
This months podcast explores Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and how we can help those living with it.
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RESEARCH
Journal of Child Neurology - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Pediatric Neurology: Are We Missing the Connection? A Scoping Review
This study suggests that in addition to ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder may also be a common diagnosis in pediatric neurology practice.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Understanding the intersection of prenatal alcohol exposure and postnatal adversity: A systematic review from a developmental psychopathology lens
This systematic review examines the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and postnatal adversity (PA) using the developmental psychopathology (DP) framework.
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Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy - Evaluation of Criminal Responsibility in a Patient with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Intellectual Disability
The current study presents the case of a young man with intellectual disability related to fetal alcohol syndrome, referred for forensic psychiatric examination of criminal liability following charges of armed robbery, and who was considered not criminally liable.
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Therapy In Health Care - Exploring Occupational Therapy Practice for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
This article delineates the role and scope of occupational therapy practice for children and youth with FASD, focusing on holistic and strengths-based approaches.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Maternal and paternal risk factors associated with diagnoses within the continuum of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the USA: Proximal and distal influences
While multiple, significant maternal risk factors for FASD were identified, paternal drinking was not a statistically significant, independent risk factor.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Control of precision grip in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure
Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure demonstrate force deficits when using precision grip to manipulate an object with three different masses.
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Neuropharmacology - Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure alters GABAergic transmission and the actions of acute alcohol in the medial central amygdala of adolescent rats
Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that mPAE leads to sex-specific changes in synaptic activity and neuronal function.
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Children - Anxiety and Depression and Sleep Problems Among Patients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
These findings suggest that sleep disturbances in children with FASD are closely related to state anxiety and depressive symptoms. The results emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing sleep and emotional health in this population.
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Minerva pediatrics - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: where we have come from, trends, and future directions
First described in the 1970s as fetal alcohol syndrome, continuing progress has been made in the understanding, recognition and treatment of what is now recognized to be a range of related neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Journal of Substance Use - Prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use among pregnant women in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy are prevalent in India. Developing effective strategies to reduce these rates is important for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and improving maternal and child health.
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Substance Use & Misuse - Trends in U.S. State Alcohol and Other Drug Use During Pregnancy Policies from 2016 to 2020: Policymaking in the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Era
Even though CARA does not require reporting for the purposes of child welfare investigations, several states adopted such requirements during these years.
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Drug and Alcohol Review - Regional disparities and correlates of alcohol use during pregnancy in India: Insights from the National Family Health Survey-5
Alcohol use during pregnancy in India shows significant regional and socio-demographic disparities. The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions and policies, particularly in high-risk groups and regions.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - A randomized controlled trial of Native CHOICES: Impact on alcohol-exposed pregnancy risk reduction among American Indian and Alaska Native women
The Native CHOICES intervention did not show evidence of effectiveness overall. However, exploratory analyses offer some evidence that the intervention was effective prior to the pandemic.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Understanding the effects of alcohol policies on treatment admissions and birth outcomes among young pregnant people
General population policies also appear effective for reducing the adverse effects of drinking during pregnancy for young people, including those under 21. Policies that target people based on age or pregnancy status appear less effective.
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SAGE Open Nursing - The Role of Pregnancy Intentions in U.S. Women's Contraceptive and Alcohol Use Behaviors
Pregnancy intentions are associated with contraceptive nonuse but not heavy alcohol use. Delayed pregnancy recognition among those not actively trying to conceive but also not consistently using an effective form of contraception might place women who are avoiding or ambivalent about pregnancy at heightened risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy.
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Alcohol News - 1/2025

Alcohol Change UK - Benefits of the Dry January® challenge, and when you can expect to see them
So, you’re keen to try a month without alcohol but what’s in it for you? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot! We talk through some of the main benefits from the Dry January® challenge, and when you can expect to see them.
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ERR News (Estonia) - Tallinn favors licensing system for limiting alcohol sales
The Ministry of Social Affairs is drafting a new national alcohol policy for the next decade. The proposals include measures to reduce the physical availability of alcohol and impose stricter advertising restrictions.
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BBC (UK) - Dry January: I spent a year without alcohol
Exactly one year ago I set out on a personal challenge - I decided to stop drinking alcohol for the entirety of 2024.
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Euronews (Italy) - Venice, Tokyo, Strasbourg: Watch out for alcohol bans on New Year’s Eve in these cities
Cities have also restricted the sale of fireworks and closed off crowded areas. Venice has introduced a ban on alcohol consumption on New Year’s Eve as a safety measure.
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The Conversation - Want to live longer and save money? Online app can help calculate your benefits from cutting back on alcohol
Dry January is a time when many people think about taking a break from alcohol and giving their liver a rest. But what does that look like in terms of individual benefits?
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New York Times (USA) - The Battle Over What to Tell Americans About Drinking
Officials in other countries are warning about the health hazards of alcohol in any amount. Americans are still told that moderate drinking is safe. What gives?
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France 24 (France) - No longer drinking? More and people turn to tasty alcohol-free drinks
Some may be nursing a sore head today, after New Year festivities… But not everyone, as more and more consumers indulge in non-alcoholic drinks instead. Improvements in these drinks' taste have already won over a lot of people in France in the last couple of years.
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The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Wide-ranging ban on alcohol advertising to take effect on 1 January
A total ban on alcohol advertising will come into force on 1 January next on TikTok and Snapchat, and in cinema screenings in which at least 30% of the audience are minors.
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Alcohol Awareness (Norway) - Alcohol and aging: Blue Cross Norway highlights risks for older adults
Blue Cross Norway has launched an awareness campaign addressing the increasing alcohol consumption among older adults in Norway.
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NordAN (Denmark) - Denmark: New requirements for businesses in alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco industries
The Danish Parliament passed in December new legislation as part of the government's prevention plan targeting children and youth concerning tobacco, nicotine, and alcohol. This introduces new requirements for businesses in these sectors.
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Reykjavik Grapevine (Iceland) - Online Alcohol Merchants Closed By Police
The capital area police closed the operations of various alcohol merchants on December 26, RÚV and Vísir report. According to Icelandic alcohol laws, distribution and sale of liquor is prohibited during national holidays.
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Alcohol Awareness (Norway) - White January: A fresh start for the new year
White January, organized by Blue Cross Norway, is a unique campaign encouraging people to begin the year with a focus on health and well-being by going alcohol-free for the month.
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Alcohol Awareness (Finland) - #tipaton2025
The Finnish tradition of Tipaton tammikuu (Dry January) is back, encouraging individuals to pause and reflect on their alcohol consumption. This year’s theme, Elä enemmän (Live More), invites participants to explore the joys of an alcohol-free month while embracing a healthier and more energetic lifestyle.
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NordAN - Electoral long COVID and its global implications
The year 2024 has been marked by a global wave of political change, with elections in over 70 countries impacting half the world's population.
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Alcohol News - 52/2024

Euractiv - Alcohol is a public health challenge. Why don’t we see it that way?
Europe is the highest alcohol-consuming region in the world. It accounts for 20 per cent of the global market. According to the WHO, an individual consumes an average of 9.2 litres of alcohol per year. So, what is the public harm? Is the alcohol industry selling a narrative of a glass half full?
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Health Policy Watch (Brazil) - Brazil’s Congress Hikes Taxes on Sugary Drinks, Alcohol and Tobacco While Boosting Healthy Foods
Brazil’s National Congress approved a selective tax on tobacco, soft drinks, and alcohol this week as part of wide-ranging fiscal reform that also saw a reduction in taxes on healthy foods.
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nippon.com (Japan) - Japan’s Per Capita Consumption of Alcohol Drying Up
End-of-year parties (bōnenkai) and New Year family gatherings have tended to be a time when people drink alcohol in Japan, but the domestic market for alcoholic beverages has been shrinking along with the decreasing population and changing lifestyles.
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NL Times (Netherlands) - Majority of Dutch parents allow teens to drink alcohol during holidays
More than half of Dutch parents with children aged 16 or 17 are comfortable allowing their teens to consume some alcohol during the holiday season, according to a survey by the RTL News Panel.
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Duvar English (Turkey) - Turkey's new year brings steep price hikes for cigarettes, alcohol
With President Erdoğan's decision, the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) on high-alcohol beverages has increased by 13%, and a price hike of 5-7 liras for cigarettes is expected in the new year.
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GOV.UK (UK) - Christmas booze ban for record number of offenders
Around 3,800 offenders either released from prison or serving a community sentence will wear an alcohol tag over Christmas and New Year.
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The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Bolt tightens e-scooter alcohol test during holiday season
This holiday season, the shared mobility platform Bolt is enhancing its alcohol test functionality for sharing e-scooters and bikes to ensure safer urban mobility during the end-of-year period across Belgium.
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McGill University - Study links alcohol consumption to more severe nut allergy reaction
Findings of a new study into severe allergic reactions offer a sobering warning to people allergic to tree nuts and, more broadly, could lead to quicker diagnoses in emergency care for people with all anaphylactic allergies.
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Medical Xpress - Optogenetics approach reveals how alcohol use disorder impairs cognitive flexibility
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects about 400 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of serious illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and stroke.
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Neuroscience News - How Alcohol Impairs the Brain’s Ability to Adapt and Learn
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) disrupts cognitive flexibility, crucial for learning and adapting to change. New research reveals that chronic alcohol exposure alters the firing patterns of cholinergic interneurons (CINs), key neurons in the brain’s striatum that regulate dopamine and influence reward-driven learning.
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The Independent (UK) - Almost one in three men planning on ditching alcohol for Dry January
Almost one in three men is planning to take part in Dry January and give up alcohol for the month amid health and financial concerns, according to new data.
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The Journal (Ireland) - OECD: Irish teenagers smoke less, drink less and exercise more than their European counterparts
IRISH TEENAGERS COMPARE favourably to their European counterparts when it comes to healthy behaviours, according to an OECD report on 15-year-olds.
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tctMD - Alcohol’s Harms Last Beyond Active Binge Drinking: MunichBREW II
Binge drinking seems to increase heart rates and arrhythmias, not only while alcohol is consumed but also during the days that follow, according to data from the MunichBREW II study.
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Alcohol News - 51/2024

The Lancet Regional Health – Europe - Confronting alcohol’s costly toll: why the European region needs clearer, evidence-based policy
Despite decades of research on alcohol’s harms, the reality remains striking: the health risks of alcohol are largely misunderstood or downplayed, both in the policy arena and by the public.
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University of Chicago News - What’s the truth about alcohol’s benefits and risks? with Tim Stockwell
We have long heard the claims that a glass of red wine is good for your heart, but it turns out that the research that fueled this wisdom was actually skewed.
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News-Medical - Understanding the mechanisms behind alcohol-associated liver disease
A newly published review in eGastroenterology compiles recent research on alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), offering an overview of its pathogenesis and efforts to better understand this condition.
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The Conversation (South Africa) - South Africa wants to make alcohol more expensive. Why it’s a good idea – health economist
South Africa’s National Treasury has proposed raising excise taxes to curb excessive drinking in the country. According to a 2018 World Health Organization report, 60% of South African drinkers aged 15 and older engage in heavy episodic drinking.
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BBC (England) - Deaths from alcohol at record high in England
There has been "a catastrophic rise" in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England over the past four years, government figures suggest.
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RNZ (New Zealand) - Gen Z drinking alcohol less, or not at all
A trend away from alcohol for Gen Z is being replicated here in New Zealand, according to a local industry body.
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The Guardian (Sweden) - The Swedish sobriety secret: dry December – and off-licences shut on a Saturday night
For decades, the authorities in Sweden have encouraged people to drink responsibly – and with a state alcohol monopoly, strict rules and growing abstinence, they seem to be succeeding
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Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (Ireland) - It’s time for action to tackle dangerous effects of alcohol, says Donnelly.
Alliance Health Spokesperson, Danny Donnelly MLA, was speaking following the publication of alcohol-specific deaths in Northern Ireland which revealed that deaths caused by alcohol has risen by 65 per cent in the last 10 years, stating it’s time we took action to tackle the harmful effects of alcohol and save lives.
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Medical Xpress - Alcohol, adolescents and parental perceptions
New research led by Flinders University is expanding the understanding of parents' attitudes towards supplying alcohol to their underage children.
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Alcohol Change Australia - New data highlights the need for prompt action on alcohol in Australia.
New data out this week from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals that alcohol use remains a leading risk factor contributing to the burden of disease in Australia, motivating Alcohol Change Australia to continue to call for prompt government action to reduce alcohol-related harm for all Australians.
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IAS Blog - Beyond the ‘Wine Mum’: Understanding Midlife Women’s Drinking
Alcohol use among midlife women (late 30s to 50s) has received increased attention in research recently. Alongside this, popular representations of “wine mums” – stressed caregivers who turn to wine for relief – have grown.
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IAS Blog - New alcohol mortality data presents a bleak picture for England
New figures, published by the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) as part of their Local Alcohol Profiles for England, show that England set another unwanted record in 2023, with the highest number of alcohol-specific deaths on record.
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NordAN (Norway) - Half of Oslo residents agree: Too much alcohol is consumed around children during Christmas
A new survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Av-og-til reveals that 50% of Oslo residents believe too much alcohol is consumed during Christmas when children are present.
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NordAN (Estonia) - Estonia sets new goals with "Alcohol use reduction directions 2025–2035"
The Ministry of Social Affairs has released the draft strategy Alcohol use reduction directions 2025–2035 for public discussion before it proceeds for final approval by the government.
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Alcohol and Cancer  - New research explores population-level alcohol consumption and cancer mortality
The link between alcohol and cancer is well-established, with a growing body of evidence cementing alcohol's role as a significant risk factor for an array of cancer types.
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Alcohol Awareness (Estonia) - Breaking the silence: addressing alcohol-fueled family violence during the holidays
The Estonian Police and Border Guard’s new campaign addresses a deeply concerning issue that resurfaces with greater intensity during the festive season: family violence. Alcohol consumption, often amplified during holiday celebrations, is identified as a major factor fueling these incidents.
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Alcohol News - 49/2024

NordAN (Denmark) - A call for change in Denmark's alcohol culture: Lægeforeningen’s proposals for a healthier future
Denmark's drinking culture has long been a topic of concern, and Lægeforeningen (the Danish Medical Association) is urging a national conversation and decisive actions to address the significant role alcohol plays in the lives of Danes of all ages.
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ERR (Estonia) - Growing alcohol consumption among women worrying health promoters
According to statistics, each adult consumes an average of 11 liters of pure alcohol per year. This equates to half a liter of vodka or two and a half bottles of wine per week.
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ERR (Estonia) - Additional alcohol excise tax hike canceled for next year
The Riigikogu Finance Committee has decided that the additional increase in alcohol excise duty planned for next year will not take place.
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Ohio State News - ‘I don’t feel your pain’: How alcohol increases aggression
Alcohol’s ability to increase people’s pain threshold is one reason that drinking also leads to more aggressive behavior, a new study suggests.
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Sky News - Netherlands: Strong alcohol banned for elderly residents in seniors home
An organisation in the Netherlands has decided that strong alcohol and spirits should not be allowed in a home for senior residents for health reasons.
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Psychology Today (Australia) - Gambling and Alcohol Use in Australian Youths
Gambling and alcohol consumption are prevalent behaviours among Australian youths and young adults, often leading to various social and health-related harms.
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STV News (Scotland) - Calls to restore funding in Budget to tackle alcohol-related problems
An organisation that works to reduce alcohol-related harm has called for funding to be restored in the upcoming Scottish Budget.
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EASL (EU) - Alcohol Labelling: Why Are Citizens Denied the Right to Know?
Tuesday 3 December 2024, will mark the launch event of the European Awareness Week on Alcohol Related Harm (AWARH), hosted by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.
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Eurocare - Eurocare at CCFL48: Paving the Way for Global Progress on Alcohol Labelling
As the only NGO with observer status at Codex dedicated to prevent alcohol-related harm, Eurocare attended the CCFL48 in-person, to ensure public health interests were represented during discussions on alcohol labelling.
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IAS Blog - “Outta sight, outta mind?”. What do the public and professional stakeholders think about alcohol policy?
Alcohol policies are important for reducing the negative effects of alcohol. The World Health Organisation recommends that countries take steps to control how alcohol is priced, advertised and sold.
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IAS (UK) - Alcohol-specific deaths in England rise by 4.6% in 2023
Deaths from conditions wholly attributable to alcohol have increased by 4.6% from 2022 to 2023, reaching the highest number for the fourth year in a row.
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Alcohol Action Ireland - Who cares about cancer when there’s profit to be made? Certainly not the alcohol industry
With political parties about to start the horse trading to form the next coalition, during what is EU Alcohol Harm Awareness Week, Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) is calling on the next government to take a public health approach to interactions with health-harming industries especially the alcohol industry which produces, markets and sells a product that is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions.
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NordAN (Sweden) - Sweden: Young people drink less – but spirits dominate when they do drink
Young people are consuming less alcohol overall, but spirits remain the most popular choice for those who do drink.
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Alcohol and Cancer (Spain) - 2024 cancer prevention recommendations in Spain: spotlight on alcohol
The "Recomendaciones de prevención del cáncer. Actualización 2024" provides an essential update on strategies for reducing cancer risk through evidence-based recommendations.
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Alcohol Awareness (Norway) – The Third Glass
Av-og-til’s latest campaign, “The Third Glass,” delivers a powerful message about how alcohol consumption affects children during the holiday season. Narrated by Norwegian singer Maria Mena, this three-part Christmas story offers perspectives from a mother, her child, and the grandmother during “Kvelden før Kvelden,” Norway’s traditional family gathering the night before Christmas Eve.
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Alcohol News - 48/2024

ERR News (Estonia) - Estonia's health minister wants to tie alcohol excise duty to inflation
According to Minister of Health Riina Sikkut (SDE), the specific model for calculating alcohol excise duty based on inflation is still under consideration and will be included in the ministry's forthcoming alcohol strategy.
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EuroHealthNet Magazine (France) - Alcohol advertising in France: How big investments fuel youth exposure
Why are French youth still seeing so many alcohol ads, despite strict laws? Passed in 1991, the Évin Law was supposed to shield young people from alcohol marketing, banning ads from TV, youth media, and any attempt to make drinking look glamorous.
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The Conversation - The rise of ‘sober curiosity:’ Why Gen Zers are reducing their alcohol consumption
Generation Z is leading a significant shift in drinking habits. In fact, compared to preceding generations, Generation Z may be the soberest generation yet.
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Auckland Council (Australia) - Auckland’s new alcohol rules coming soon
From 9 December, off-licences such as bottle shops, supermarkets and other shops that sell alcohol to take away, will no longer be able to sell alcohol after 9pm in a change introduced under Auckland’s new local alcohol policy.
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Annenberg Public Policy Center (USA) - Most Don’t Know That Alcohol Raises Cancer Risk
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that you can “lower your risk for cancer by drinking less alcohol or not drinking at all,” Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) data show that less than half of Americans know that regularly drinking alcohol increases the risk of later developing cancer.
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The Conversation - Researchers of tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed foods face threats and intimidation – new study
Cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions, diabetes and stroke now account for nearly three-quarters of all deaths globally. Investigating the causes of these diseases has never been more crucial for public health.
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News-Medical - Alcohol use found to be major factor in cannabis vaping among youth and young adults
Alcohol use was the most common predictor of escalating cannabis vaping among youth and young adults, independent of demographic factors, according to research by UTHealth Houston published this month in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
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RNZ (New Zealand) - Alcohol to your door with no ID required: researchers call for law change
Alcohol sales laws need an overhaul, researchers say, after finding 73 percent of door-to-door booze deliveries happen with zero identification checks and almost half the alcohol is left unattended at the door.
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Institut de la statistique du Québec (Canada) - Fewer high school students consume drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, sugary drinks and junk food
The proportion of students who consumed alcohol in the 12 months preceding the survey declined from 60% in 2010–2011 to 47% in 2022–2023. The proportion of students who consumed alcohol excessively in the 12 months preceding the survey also dropped, from 41% in 2010–2011 to 29% in 2022–2023.
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Wiley Analytical Science - Study links alcohol use disorder to Alzheimer’s progression through shared gene expression changes
The research revealed molecular pathways that may underlie the impact of alcohol use on Alzheimer's progression, offering insights for potential preventative and therapeutic strategies
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The Mail & Guardian (South Africa) - Treasury proposes minimum pricing for alcohol to curb harmful drinking
The treasury has proposed setting a minimum price for alcoholic beverages to reduce harmful consumption which is a drain on the country’s health resources.
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IAS (UK) - Cuts and freezes to alcohol duty will cost the Treasury £28.6 billion by 2030
In our latest Budget Analysis, we found that cuts and freezes to alcohol duty since 2013 will cost the government over £28.6 billion by 2030.
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Balance (UK) - Balance calls for conversation about alcohol industry targeting as BBC Panorama explores rising liver deaths among young women
Balance and former dependent drinker Karen Slater today added their voices to mounting concerns about rising numbers of women dying from alcohol-related causes – and highlight the role of relentless alcohol marketing towards women.
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Alcohol Action Ireland - Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: How Big Alcohol lobbying diluted a historic public health breakthrough
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the following BECA report in the European Parliament were initially groundbreaking initiatives on European alcohol policy. For the first time, a clear encompassing mandate had been given to prioritise health policy and to adopt EU legislation to prevent alcohol consumption as a key cancer risk factor.
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YLE (Finland) - Finland's new dietary guidelines — Less meat and booze, more veg and berries
The Finnish Food Authority published a set of national nutritional guidelines on Wednesday, advising people to eat less meat, more vegetables and to cut down on the consumption of coffee and alcohol.
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Alcohol Awareness (Norway) - Brewed for Thought
Akan kompetansesenter has launched an innovative campaign to spark conversations about workplace drinking culture. Nearly 250 leaders across Norway recently received a sixpack of alcohol-free beer, each bottle displaying striking statistics about alcohol use—a unique take on “alcohol percentage.”
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Alcohol News - 47/2024

The BMJ - Conflicts of interest: moving towards zero tolerance
Harmful industries still exert their influence over health professionals, academia, and health systems; robust change is required, write Chris van Tulleken, Nigel Rollins, and Rebecca Coombes
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NordAN - NordAN General Assembly adopts resolution to protect Nordic alcohol control policy
At the 2024 NordAN General Assembly in Oslo on November 7, a second resolution was adopted, building on a prior call for transparency and accountability in global alcohol policy.
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World Health Organization (WHO) - A life lived in full: Denise’s freedom from alcohol translates into enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures
“On a recent holiday, I woke up really early, went to the ocean and had a swim at an empty beach. It was so beautiful, so freeing. Maybe that would’ve been different if I’d had a few alcoholic drinks the night before,” Denise reflects.
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World Health Organization (WHO) - Shaping the future of alcohol screening and brief interventions at INEBRIA 2024
WHO/Europe is leveraging its expertise to highlight the potential of screening and brief interventions (SBI) for alcohol use in different settings at the 20th INEBRIA conference, taking place in Barcelona, Spain, on 21–22 November 2024.
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Sur in English (Spain) - New study reveals alcohol drinking habits of the Spanish population
The frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages is a habit that is harmful to health, yet it is regarded as a normal habit among the Spanish, and it is also widespread, affecting all social and age groups in high proportions.
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PsyPost - High school IQ predicts alcohol use patterns in midlife, study finds
A recent study published in Alcohol and Alcoholism reveals a surprising link between intelligence in adolescence and drinking habits later in life.
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Medical Xpress (USA) - Alcohol-related deaths in the US more than double from 1999 to 2020, overall trends reveals
In the United States and globally, alcohol consumption is a major cause of preventable death and disability and increases liver disease, mental health disorders and accidents.
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Cancer Council (Australia) - Concerning new data shows three in four Australian adults are misled by health-related claims on alcohol labels
New research from Cancer Council Victoria’s Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer shows three in four Australian adults (75%) misunderstood at least one health-related claim on an alcohol product, incorrectly believing that it meant the product was better for them.
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Medical Xpress (USA) - National survey shows millions of Americans hurt by others' drinking, drug use
The risks of alcohol and other drug consumption to the user are well known, but many Americans—nearly 160 million—say they've been harmed by someone else's substance use, according to a new study in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
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Mental Health Commission of Canada (Canada) - How Alcohol and Suicide are connected – A Fact Sheet
The MHCC partnered with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) to examine what is currently known about the relationship between alcohol use and suicide, who is most affected, and how to effectively reduce risk.
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NordAN (Norway) - Launch of a new support tool: "Alkoholpraten.no"
One in three Norwegians has been concerned about the drinking habits of someone close to them. A new tool aims to help Norwegians start a conversation about alcohol.
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Alcohol and Cancer - Alcohol use contributes significantly to global liver cancer burden, study finds
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology has highlighted the substantial public health challenge posed by liver cancer attributable to alcohol use (LCAL) and hepatitis B (LCHB).
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Alcohol and Cancer - OECD report: Lifestyle choices driving preventable cancer deaths in Europe
The OECD and European Commission’s Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report highlights a significant health crisis in the European Union, where preventable lifestyle factors play a substantial role in cancer-related deaths.
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NordAN (Sweden) - CAN report: The more alcohol – the more nicotine
The new report Self-reported alcohol habits in Sweden 2004–2023 reveals that nicotine use is nearly twice as common among those who consume alcohol compared to those who do not.
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FARE Australia (Australia) - Launch of new health campaign ‘Be Nice to Brain’ in Tasmania
The Foundation of Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), in partnership with the Tasmanian Government, has launched a new digital campaign highlighting the link between alcohol and mental health.
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