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Monday, June 28, 2010

Alcohol News - 26/2010

Helsingin Sanomat (Finland) - Finnish women drinking six times more than they did 40 years ago
Consumption of alcohol by women has increased nearly sixfold in the past 40 years. Researchers see the changes in women’s drinking habits to be one of the most significant individual changes in Finnish drinking culture in recent decades.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finnish+women+drinking+six+times+more+than+they+did+40+years+ago/1135258121301

Mental Health News (Sweden/Norway) - Alcohol-Related Violence More Common in People Who Repress Anger
Many people believe that alcohol can cause normally peaceful people to become violent. New research shows that intoxication can indeed increase violence, but that the association is strongest for people who normally hold in their anger. In fact, according to this new study, people who do not habitually repress their anger are not likely to be more violent when drunk.
The new study was conducted by researchers at the Swedish Institute for Social Research at Stockholm University in Sweden and the Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research in Oslo, Norway.
http://mentalhealthnews.org/alcohol-related-violence-more-common-in-people-who-repress-anger/841245/

7thSpace Interactive (Norway) - Use of alcohol and drugs by Norwegian employees: a pilot study using questionnaires and analysis of oral fluid
The use of alcohol and drugs may affect workplace safety and productivity. Little is known about the magnitude of this problem in Norway.
http://7thspace.com/headlines/347820/use_of_alcohol_and_drugs_by_norwegian_employees_a_pilot_study_using_questionnaires_and_analysis_of_oral_fluid.html

Baltic Reports (Latvia) - Riga may restrict homemade alcohol production
The Riga municipal government is considering tightening restrictions on homemade alcohol production, but it’s likely to do little to stop curb the widespread practice that has caused scores of deaths over the past few years.
http://balticreports.com/?p=19673

The Baltic Course (Latvia) - Latvian Saeima increases penalties for drunk drivers
The Saeima plenary passed a bill today whereby penalties for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated become a lot stiffer in Latvia.
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=28012

EPHA (Denmark) - Alcohol, tobacco and food high in fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt will see price increases in Denmark
Although alcohol and tobacco taxes are harmonised across Europe, while respecting the EU taxation harmonisation rules (minimum tax principle) Denmark has decided to go beyond the established minimum levels by taxing certain products higher.
http://www.epha.org/a/4076

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (Sweden) - Incidence of Alcoholism in the Revisited Lundby Population, 1947-1997
The Lundby Study is a prospective longitudinal study of an unselected population consisting of 3,563 subjects. The Lundby Study started in 1947, and follow-ups were carried out in 1957, 1972, and in 1997.
http://www.jsad.com/jsad/article/Incidence_of_Alcoholism_in_the_Revisited_Lundby_Population_19471997/4465.html

Radio New Zealand (New Zealand) - Six-fold surge in deaths from alcohol
The number of alcohol-related deaths investigated by the Coroner's Office has increased dramatically, mostly due to binge drinking.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2010/06/28/12480acc83ec

San Francisco Chronicle (USA) - S.F. eyes alcohol tax to recover health costs
San Francisco would be the first local government in the state to impose a booze fee intended to recover health care costs associated with alcohol abuse now covered by taxpayers.
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-06-23/bay-area/21921330_1_alcohol-fee-cost-recovery

AllAfrica.com (Angola) - Economic Difficulties Lead to Alcohol Consumption – Physician
Angolan physician and expert in public health, Lourdes da Caridade Walter, on Friday considered in the city of Ndalatando (northern Kwanza Norte province), the lack of employment, self-esteem and proper social conditions as the factors leading to binge drinking and drug abuse.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201006280032.html

Daily Mail (UK) - Binge drinking sends high blood pressure cases soaring by 74%
Britain's booze culture has led to a huge increase in patients needing treatment for high blood pressure. The number of adults diagnosed with raised blood pressure - or hypertension - as a result of drinking too much alcohol has jumped by 74 per cent in five years.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1290156/Binge-drinking-sends-high-blood-pressure-cases-soaring-74.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

New York Times (USA) – Congress Considers Funding for In-Car Alcohol Detection System
A government-auto industry program that is trying to develop a device to detect drunken drivers, which would be installed in all new vehicles, is on track to get a six-fold increase in funding.
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/25/congress-mulls-funding-for-in-car-alcohol-detection-system/

BBC News (UK) - Call for all-party meeting on minimum pricing
Opposition leaders have launched an attempt to find alternatives to the SNP's flagship minimum unit price plan for alcohol.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/scotland/10425584.stm

Scope - How parenting style may influence teen alcohol consumption
When it comes to discouraging alcohol consumption among adolescents, parents' attitudes and actions can play a significant role in how much or how often teens drink, according to findings recently published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/archives/2010/06/how-parenting-s.html

The Moscow Times (Russia) - Night Ban on Alcohol Prepared
A Kremlin-backed bill to ban late-night sales of strong beer and hard alcohol at stores and kiosks has been submitted to the government, Vedomosti reported Friday.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/night-ban-on-alcohol-prepared/409135.html

The Guardian (UK) - Doctors will urge alcohol ban on all public transport at BMA conference
Doctors are calling for an alcohol ban on all public transport, including intercity trains and cross-Channel ferries, in an attempt to stop drunks annoying fellow passengers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jun/27/drinking-transport-ban-doctors

Herald Scotland - Alcohol and drugs reduce creativity, psychiatrist warns
The idea that alcohol and drugs can stimulate artists, writers and musicians to create great works of art is a dangerous myth and they can actually stifle creativity, a Scots psychiatrist has said.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/alcohol-and-drugs-reduce-creativity-psychiatrist-warns-1.1037148

BBC News (Ireland) - Irish drink-drive limit to fall
The alcohol limit for drivers in the Irish Republic is set to be reduced. The limit for qualified drivers has been cut from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/northern_ireland/10400490.stm

Derry Today (UK) - 40,000 kids suffering 'hidden harm' of booze
The bright yellow leaflet with advice aimed at children looks cheerful and childlike. The content, however, is anything but. Hundreds of these leaflets will be distributed in the coming weeks to children who may be at risk because of their parents' misuse of alcohol and drugs.
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/40000-kids-suffering-hidden-harm.6387199.jp

Monday, June 21, 2010

Alcohol News - 25/2010

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Call for clearer guidelines on alcohol intake during pregnancy
AUSTRALIAN guidelines on alcohol intake during pregnancy are inconsistent and research is urgently needed to establish the effect of low to moderate drinking on the unborn child, researchers say.
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/call-for-clearer-guidelines-on-alcohol-intake-during-pregnancy-20100620-ypcd.html

Wall Street Journal (China) - The Still-Strong Power of White Liquor
Alcohol still plays an important role in the business world in second- and third-tier cities, however. My experience in Xuzhou was instructive for this Beijinger, who rarely takes part in a culture that has defined generations of Chinese officials and businessmen.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704122904575314381543919728.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - Wellington council to vote on city-wide alcohol ban
A city-wide liquor ban for Wellington will be voted on by councillors this week. The proposed ban would mean anyone caught with opened alcohol in a public place would be breaking a bylaw.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3832914/Wellington-council-to-vote-on-city-wide-alcohol-ban

Daily Mail (UK) - Fury over supermarket chain's 'grossly irresponsible' plan to sell alcohol for 99p a bottle
One of Britain's fastest-growing supermarket chains has been condemned for announcing plans to sell wine, cider and alcopops for just 99p a bottle.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1288102/99p-Stores-sell-alcohol-99p-bottle.html

Telegraph.co.uk (UK) - Bars with 24-hour drinking face 'law and order' levy
Under plans to overhaul Labour’s 24-hour drinking laws, the government wants premises that stay open after 11pm to help pay for the cost of drunken violence on the streets.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7841660/Bars-with-24-hour-drinking-face-law-and-order-levy.html

Herald Scotland (Scotland) - Cutting alcohol limit for drivers is correct
Sir Peter North’s recommendation that the alcohol limit for drivers should be reduced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood chimes with British public opinion.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-view/cutting-alcohol-limit-for-drivers-is-correct-1.1035353

New York Times (USA) - Should Parents Be Jailed When Kids Drink?
It’s graduation party season, which means social host laws that hold parents responsible for teenage drinking are back in the news. Last week, two Harvard Medical School professors were arrested because teenagers were found drinking at their daughter’s graduation party, though they said they did not see the alcohol.
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/should-parents-be-jailed-when-kids-drink/?src=mv

ABC Online (Australia) - Call for campaign to curb parents' drinking
A child protection expert says there has been a steady increase in the number of children in state care because of parental alcohol and drug misuse.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/20/2931758.htm?section=justin

Telegraph.co.uk (UK) - Five-year-olds should be taught dangers of alcohol: Nice
The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence, which advises Government on public health issues as well as approving drugs for use on the NHS, has called for improvement to the way sex, relationship and alcohol issues are taught.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7832734/Five-year-olds-should-be-taught-dangers-of-alcohol-Nice.html

RIA Novosti (Russia) - Russia to raise excise taxes on gasoline, alcohol, tobacco
Excise taxes on gasoline, tobacco and alcohol will be raised, the Russian finance minister said on Friday.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100618/159481134.html

Belfast Telegraph (Ireland) - Retail closures to hit booze cruise
The booze cruise could be about to disappear as three UK alcohol retailers pull out of Calais, according to a report.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/retail-closures-to-hit-booze-cruise-14848966.html

Motoring (UK) - Reduce blood-alcohol limit, says new report
A recommendation for the first major reduction since 1976 of the amount of alcohol that can be drunk before driving has come with the publication of the UK's North Report.
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5519454&fSectionId=751&fSetId=381

myFOXlubbock.com (USA) - MADD calls for industry interlocks
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers is working aggressively to prevent alcohol-related fatalities by pushing legislation calling for "ignition interlocks."
http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/news/local/story/MADD-calls-for-industry-interlocks/ytzTKJK5pECn0lfiTNhZKw.cspx

Times of India - One alcoholic drink can triple chances of an accident
A study has found that even a single alcoholic drink can triple the chances of a driver dying in a car accident, as it can increase a driver’s blood-alcohol level by more than half the legal limit.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/One-alcoholic-drink-can-triple-chances-of-an-accident/articleshow/6063901.cms

YLE News (Finland) - One-Third of Finnish Men Admit to Drunk Driving
Over one-third of Finnish men have driven a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, according to a survey carried out for the Väli-Suomen Sunday newspaper supplement. About one-fifth of women admitted the same.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/06/one-third_of_finnish_men_admit_to_drunk_driving_1775152.html

Fresh Business Thinking - Drinks Industry Should Change Way It Works To Help Lower Alcohol Deaths
Reducing deaths from alcohol-related liver disease need not affect the bottom line of the drinks industry, according to a new article published in Clinical Medicine, the journal of the Royal College of Physicians.
http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/news.php?CID=&NID=5032&Title=Drinks+Industry+Should+Change+Way+It+Works+To+Help+Lower+Alcohol+Deaths+

Monday, June 14, 2010

Alcohol News - 24/2010

Boston Globe - They banned cigarette ads from TV — why not alcohol?
TRACY JAN’S excellent “Presidential sobriety check,’’ about Tufts University president Lawrence Bacow, should be a wake-up call to Massachusetts parents, educators, and legislators. Of course, the deadly binge-drinking behavior Bacow described is not limited to the Tufts and MIT campuses, or even more generally to college students.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2010/06/13/they_banned_cigarette_ads_from_tv__why_not_alcohol/
CatererSearch (UK) - Government set to up alcohol duty by 5%
The pub and restaurant industry is braced for yet more tax rises on alcohol, following reports that the Treasury could raise duty by another 5% as well as hiking VAT to 20%.
http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/06/14/333790/Government-set-to-up-alcohol-duty-by-5.htm

BBC News (Scotland) - Scottish government Alcohol Bill plan pass key vote
The Scottish government's plans to tackle the country's historic alcohol abuse problems have passed their first parliamentary hurdle.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/scotland/10276863.stm

The Associated Press (Venezuela) - Chavez targets alcohol, smoking in Venezuela
President Hugo Chavez says he wants Venezuelans to stop drinking so much alcohol, and he has ordered the military to crack down on businesses selling beer on the streets or after legal hours.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ineO86qjg0ALoP2esPQbJjn1J5tgD9G99SNO1

BBC News (Russia) - Russian vodka price set to double due to tax hike
The Russian government is planning steep increases in alcohol taxes which would double the price of vodka over two years.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10277892.stm

BBC News (UK) - Knighthood for alcohol campaigner
The head of the Royal College of Physicians, who has campaigned for measures to tackle alcohol misuse, has been knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/10294995.stm

BusinessWeek - Teen Headaches Tied to Alcohol, Coffee
A new German study links alcohol, smoking and coffee drinking to higher rates of migraine and tension headaches among teens and young adults.
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/639830.html

YLE News (Finland) - More Finns Grab the Bottle during Midsummer Holiday
Finns' consumption of alcohol skyrockets during the week of Midsummer. The state-run alcohol chain Alko reports that sales balloon by 17.5 million euros in the run-up to the holiday. That is around 70 percent higher than during a regular week.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/06/more_finns_grab_the_bottle_during_midsummer_holiday_1759326.html

CNN - Mixing energy drinks and alcohol may lead to riskier behavior
A new study finds that college athletes are significantly more likely to engage in energy-binge drinking when consuming alcohol than non-athletes.
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/08/mixing-energy-drinks-and-alcohol-may-lead-to-riskier-behavior/

Scotsman (Scotland) - Liver disease deaths set to hit record levels in Lothians
In the first three months of this year 48 people died in the Lothians either because of liver cancer or liver cirrhosis – a year-on-year rise of almost 50 per cent.
http://news.scotsman.com/health/Liver-disease-deaths-set-to.6360123.jp

Irish Times (Ireland) - MEP calls for 'traffic light' food labelling
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS should have labels which show the sugar and calories contained in the products, an Irish MEP has said ahead of an EU vote on food labelling.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0614/1224272440018.html

Monday, June 7, 2010

Alcohol News - 23/2010

BreakingNewsOnline - Alcohol consumption causes Migraine and TTH in Teens
Parents get worried when their teens use to complain of having headache and migraines at normal time. It may be due to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and coffee, a new study reveals.
http://www.breakingnewsonline.net/health/2297-alcohol-consumption-cause-migraine-and-tth-in-teens.html

Independent (UK) - Tory doctor calls for 'brave' move to raise alcohol prices
Ministers have been challenged to demonstrate political "bravery" and save lives by raising the price of alcohol.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tory-doctor-calls-for-brave-move-to-raise-alcohol-prices-1993278.html

Herald Sun (Australia) - One in three mums drinks alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding – study
ONE in three women drinks alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding, despite knowing the potential dangers to their baby, according to an Australian study.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/one-in-three-mums-drinks-alcohol-while-pregnant-or-breastfeeding-study/story-e6frf7jo-1225876678031

Police Professional (UK) - NICE recommends action to reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm
A minimum cost for alcohol and making it less accessible are steps needed to tackle the problems in society caused by excessive drinking, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has said.
http://www.policeprofessional.com/news.aspx?id=10521

USA Today (USA) - Campus drinking: Colleges' problem, or society's?
At a conference all about how college health officials can help students solve their problems, one speaker took an unexpected stance in a speech on student alcohol use and abuse: colleges can't do much to stop it.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-06-04-IHE-college-drinking04_ST_N.htm

Seattle Post Intelligencer (Russia) - Aeroflot Bans Alcohol - Has Less In Flight Incidents
Sometimes when you see the results of a study you just want to say, "duh!" Recently Aeroflot, Russia's flag carrier, banned alcohol on some of its longer flights to see if it would decrease in flight disturbances. Not to surprisingly, they did see a decrease.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/airlinereporter/archives/209287.asp

Scotsman (Scotland) - 40p a unit alcohol 'not enough' says expert
SCOTLAND has "drunk itself into a corner" and only measures to reduce the easy availability of alcohol will help resolve the country's serious health issues, a conference will hear tomorrow.
http://news.scotsman.com/health/40p-a-unit-alcohol-39not.6344245.jp

RedOrbit - More Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs, Alcohol
According to a study published on Thursday, one in five US high school students said they had abused prescription drugs, such as OxyContin and Percocet.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1874803/more_teens_abusing_prescription_drugs_alcohol/

BBC News (Wales) - Welsh parents warned on under-15s alcohol consumption
Parents in Wales have been warned that under-15s should not drink alcohol - even under supervision.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/wales/10217751.stm

Belorusskie Novosti (Belorussia) - Young people demonstrate in Minsk to raise awareness of alcohol and drug abuse
Around 30 young people staged a demonstration in Minsk on Thursday to express their worry about alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2010/06/04/ic_news_259_332424/

The Press Association (UK) - Plans to 'cut drink-drive limit'
Ministers are considering proposals to slash the alcohol limit for drivers, it has been reported.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gaCseO_QboiYLlyRqMwSgRu-g_LQ

PhysOrg.com - Binge drinking adolescent monkeys' brains seriously damaged by alcohol
Binge drinking is increasing in adolescents, and new research has shown long-lasting damage to an important area in the brains of adolescent monkeys after binge alcohol consumption, and suggests binge drinking could seriously affect the memories of adolescents.
http://www.physorg.com/news194674023.html

New York Times (USA) - Appeals and Alcohol – Can We Be Persuaded to Drink Less?
Economists are often accused of being a dour lot, whose grubby focus on molding behavior with carrots and sticks ignores what is noble in the human spirit: higher cognition, altruism and innate goodness.
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/appeals-and-alcohol-can-we-be-persuaded-to-drink-less/

The Guardian (UK) - Binge drinking: only one measure can solve our drink problem
When the health watchdog National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence – or Nice – last week produced its much-anticipated recommendations to curb alcohol abuse, things turned nasty.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jun/06/binge-drinking-shift-in-attitudes

BusinessCar - Volvo to introduce alco-lock technology
In-car technology to halt drivers over the alcohol limit could arrive in the UK by the end of the year.
http://www.businesscar.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=6086&c=2&theme=0