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Monday, February 22, 2010

Alcohol News - 8/2010

BBC News - City areas link alcohol and violence
US scientists have shown what they say is a direct link between the number of shops selling alcohol in an area and the violence occurring there.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8527806.stm

ABC News (USA) - Army Alcoholics: More Soldiers Hitting the Bottle
Nearly 9,200 soldiers sought treatment for alcohol abuse in 2009, a 56 percent increase since the war in Iraq started. Another 11,892 were required to undergo "alcohol education" -- a 16 to 20 hour course for soldiers who were disciplined for an alcohol-related incident, but not found to have an actual abuse problem.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/army-alcoholics-soldiers-hitting-bottle-hard/story?id=9863321

Times of India - Alcohol tends to blur race recognition
People are much better at recognising faces of their own racial group than of others. But a new study says that drinking alcohol almost eliminates that recognition bias.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/Alcohol-tends-to-blur-race-recognition/articleshow/5602225.cms

Cambridge Chronicle (UK) - BU study assesses exposure to alcohol advertising on MBTA
Recently, many people saw the disturbing image of a woman falling in front of an on-coming MBTA train. She was allegedly intoxicated and narrowly escaped being hit. There’s a lesser known risk but a related risk to riding the MBTA: that of the exposure to alcohol advertisements.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x1328942943/Guest-commentary-BU-study-assesses-exposure-to-alcohol-advertising-on-MBTA

ABC News (USA) - Drunk Driving on the Rise Among Young Women
Increases in alcohol-related fatalities among young women drivers have outpaced the decade-long rise in such deaths among young men, researchers have found.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/drunk-driving-rise-young-women/story?id=9891329

The Epoch Times - FAS Children: Society's Expensive Problem
Destroying yourself with alcohol is one thing. Destroying an innocent fetus by excessive use of alcohol is maternal madness. Yet every year in Canada, alcohol-riddled babies are born suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/30155/

Inside NoVA (USA) - House wants ignition locks for DUI offenders
Virginia's House of Representatives wants all first-time DUI offenders to have to blow into a device to start their cars. On Feb. 10, the house passed legislation that would require ignition interlocks be installed in offender's cars, forcing drivers to blow into the device to start their car.
http://www2.insidenova.com/isn/news/politics/article/house_wants_ignition_locks_for_dui_offenders/52661/

YLE News (Finland) - Funding Squeeze Sends Finland’s Alcohol-Loving Rats to the US
Spending cuts at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) are halving the number of alcohol researchers at the organisation. The institute is also forced to relinquish its special strain of alcohol-preferring rats, which Finnish researchers have used to study alcoholism since the 1960s.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/02/funding_squeeze_sends_finlands_alcohol-loving_rats_to_the_us_1467806.html

Ynetnews (Israel) - Vodka most popular alcoholic drink in Israel
Israelis drank more alcohol in 2009 and drink vodka more than any other alcoholic beverage, according to a survey conducted by the BDI business information company.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3852064,00.html

Adelaidenow (Australia) - Alcohol industry 'infiltrating' government bodies, policies
THE alcohol industry is infiltrating government bodies and influencing policies, a public health expert says. Public Health Association of Australia president Professor Mike Daube says the industry is as bad as "Big Tobacco" when it comes to pushing their wares.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/in-depth/lobbys-sly-grog-tactics/story-fn3ncc3n-1225832745565

BBC News (UK) - £1 drinks offers 'irresponsible' says Alcohol Concern
"Irresponsible" cheap drinks promotions in Welsh pubs and clubs lead to serious health problems, a charity says.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8518104.stm

Telegraph.co.uk (UK) - Teenagers most likely to get alcohol from parents – study
Less than a fifth of parents - 17 per cent - said they had thought about what they would do if their child drank too much, while 80 per cent said they would “deal with it when it happens”.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7250448/Teenagers-most-likely-to-get-alcohol-from-parents-study.html

Brunei News, Brunei Headlines from Brunei fm (Kenya) - DESIST FROM ALCOHOL ABUSE, KENYAN PRES KIBAKI URGES THE YOUTH
President Mwai Kibaki has advised Kenyan youth to desist from abuse of alcohol which can easily result in psychological and physical damage to the body.
http://news.brunei.fm/2010/02/18/desist-from-alcohol-abuse-kenyan-pres-kibaki-urges-the-youth/

Telegraph.co.uk (UK) - Labour MPs in 'champagne drinking competition'
Two Labour MPs were involved in a champagne drinking contest which got so raucous one needed medical treatment while on official business in Paris, it has emerged.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/7285463/Labour-MPs-in-champagne-drinking-competition.html

Daily Mail - Underage drinking 'is bigger problem for white middle class families'
Underage drinking is most common among white middle-class families and liberal parenting attitudes are to blame, a government report has warned.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1251531/Underage-drinking-bigger-problem-white-middle-class-families.html

Monday, February 15, 2010

Alcohol News - 7/2010

BBC News (UK) - Progress on alcohol labelling 'disappointing'
The alcohol industry is failing to comply with a voluntary agreement to place health warnings on alcoholic drinks, says the government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8513509.stm

AFP (Morocco) - Row brews over Moroccan alcohol law
A row is brewing in Morocco over the sensitive issue of selling alcohol to Moroccan Muslims, which is banned by a law that is broken openly every day.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gngQq2A3ICrO0C3rIIwtz1UqqklQ

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Alcohol a problem: army leader
THE second in command of Australia's armed forces has admitted the army has an alcohol problem and demanded officers address the heavy-drinking culture.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/alcohol-a-problem-army-leader-20100215-o2vv.html

This is London (UK) - Carlsberg, Stella Artois and Becks to be shamed over warning labels
The alcohol giants behind Carlsberg, Stella Artois and Becks are to be “named and shamed” by the Government over their failure to adopt health warning labels.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23805237-carlsberg-stella-artois-and-becks-to-be-shamed-over-warning-labels.do

JoinTogether.org (USA) - Super Bowl Alcohol Ads Take a Backseat Among America's Youth
While the big game itself is old news, the commercials are not: the impact of Super Bowl advertising is in full swing. And according to the more than 30,000 middle and high school students nationwide, who participated in the DrugFree Action Alliance Super Bowl Survey; while alcohol ads were widely remembered, they did not place in the top three favorites among youth, as in past surveys.
http://www.jointogether.org/news/yourturn/announcements/2010/super-bowl-alcohol-ads.html

Mother Nature Network - New study finds link between a sugar cravings and alcoholism
Everyone loves a sweet treat every now and then, but new research shows that an abnormally strong sweet tooth in children may be a precursor to alcoholism.
http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/health/stories/new-study-finds-link-between-a-sugar-cravings-and-alcoholism

Utalkmarketing (UK) - Thinktank wants ban on ads in public spaces
A leftwing thinktank will this week propose extreme new regulations on advertising, including further bans on advertising at children under the age of 12.
http://www.utalkmarketing.com/pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=16827&Title=Thinktank_wants_ban_on_ads_in_public_spaces

The Press Association (Scotland) - Scotland leads on alcohol plan
The eyes of the world will be on Scotland if minimum pricing for alcohol is introduced, an academic claims.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5ju39YdnvkEKJkndGROE2OLK_wypA

TVNZ (New Zealand) - Doctors lack foetal alcohol knowledge
Doctors and nurses want more education to help them warn pregnant women of the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/doctors-lack-foetal-alcohol-knowledge-3363451

Montreal Gazette (Canada) - Quebec bill to lower blood-alcohol level criticized
Quebec is set to become the last province to lower the legal blood-alcohol level to 0.05, but the measure is facing staunch opposition from bar and restaurants owners as well as opposition parties.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Quebec+bill+lower+blood+alcohol+level+criticized/2550178/story.html

The Herald (UK) - Alcohol problem should be above political point-scoring
There can be no doubt Scotland has a serious problem with alcohol. In 12 years, the number of people with alcohol-related liver disease has increased by 52% and alcohol kills six people every day in Scotland.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/herald-view/alcohol-problem-should-be-above-political-point-scoring-1.1005802

domain-B (Sweden-India) - India and Sweden to cooperate in healthcare
India and Sweden have identified areas of interest which would be explored through thematic workshops in six fields viz antimicrobial resistance, pharmaceuticals, medical research, health policy research, alcohol policy and adolescent health were being organised at the National Institute of Health and family Welfare in New Delhi on the 2 February.
http://www.domain-b.com/economy/trade/20100202_healthcare.html

Monday, February 8, 2010

Alcohol News - 6/2010

Scotsman (Scotland) - ID blitz proposed in fight against underage drinking
PUBS, clubs and off-licences could be ordered to check the ID of anyone who looks under 25 as part of new Labour plans for a crackdown on underage drinking.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/ID-blitz-proposed-in-fight.6051675.jp

Boston Globe (USA) - As pot-smoking, pill-popping baby boomers age, new health problems may arise
Roughly 8 percent of Americans ages 50 to 59 had used an illicit drug in the past year, according to a recent survey by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/02/08/illicit_drug_use_among_baby_boomers_is_on_the_rise_as_are_long_term_health_concerns/

Morning Advertiser (Scotland) - 'Quick and decisive action needed on cheap booze'
North-east health bosses have urged the Government to “act quickly and decisively” on cheap alcohol by introducing a minimum price per unit of 50p.
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/85876

Irish Medical News (Ireland) - Support for global ban on duty-free alcohol
Dr Mick Loftus, a founder of Dóthain, an organisation that raises awareness of alcohol misuse in Ireland, has supported the recent call by drugs specialist Dr Patrick Troy for a World Health Organisation (WHO) global ban on duty-fee alcohol sales.
http://www.imn.ie/index.php/current-issue/news/3015-support-for-global-ban-on-duty-free-alcohol

Los Angeles Times (USA) - Blood pressure: alcohol, smoking and caffeine
Is having a bad habit ever a good thing? It kind of can be if your aim is to lower your blood pressure, since one way to do that is to reduce your alcohol consumption significantly.
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-blood-pressure-alcohol8-2010feb08,0,1883489.story

Examiner.com (UK) - Alcohol related-injuries not limited to drunkeness - a tale of booze containers
What a shock to find that one of the leading causes of injury and disfigurement in the UK (“87,000 alcohol-related glass attacks each year,” according to UK Home secretary Alan Johnson) are the result of pub brawls!
http://www.examiner.com/x-26273-Raleigh-Cultural-Trends-Examiner~y2010m2d6-Alcohol-relatedinjuries-not-limited-to-drunkeness

TestCountry.com (USA) - In West Virginia 1 in 5 Infants are Exposed to Alcohol and Drugs
According to a new study a fifth of all infants born in the state of West Virginia are born having been exposed by their mothers to drugs and alcohol all throughout the pregnancy.
http://hometestingblog.testcountry.com/?p=5546

Chicago Tribune (USA) - Purdue professor says alcohol ads are confusing
A Purdue University professor says people should pay attention to the messages behind those ubiquitous beer commercials during the Super Bowl.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-superbowl-beerads,0,247441.story

Healthcare Republic (UK) - Minimum alcohol pricing 'may gain support' after election
Minimum unit pricing for alcohol may gain political support after the election, an MP involved in the health select committee report on alcohol has argued.
http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/news/981514/Minimum-alcohol-pricing-may-gain-support-election/

Malaysia Star (Malaysia) - Hindu Sangam declares war on alcoholism
THE Malaysian Hindu Sangam has declared war on the alcoholism that is afflicting the younger generation, reported Tamil Nesan.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/8/nation/5634782&sec=nation

The Durango Herald - Healthy habits could prevent 40% of cancers, report says
About 40 percent of cancers could be prevented if people stopped smoking and overeating, limited their alcohol, exercised regularly and got vaccines targeting cancer-causing infections, experts say.
http://durangoherald.com/sections/Features/Health/2010/02/08/Healthy_habits_could_prevent_40_of_cancers_report_says/

UPI.com - Genes may protect against alcohol issues
U.S. researchers say a pattern of genetic markers seems to protect against alcohol problems.
http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2010/02/05/Genes-may-protect-against-alcohol-issues/UPI-72321265410809/

YLE News (Finland) - Finland Mulls Slashing Alcohol Limits for Drivers
This spring Justice Minister Tuija Brax and various government agencies are considering curbing drunken driving limits in a move to make roads safer.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/02/finland_mulls_slashing_alcohol_limits_for_drivers_1425344.html

UPI.com (Sweden) - Sweden tightens pilot drinking regs
The Swedish government says it is imposing tighter restrictions on pre-flight alcohol consumption among airline pilots and flight crews.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2010/02/06/Sweden-tightens-pilot-drinking-regs/UPI-66811265515115/

Monday, February 1, 2010

Alcohol News - 5/2010

PsychCentral.com - Alcohol Dependency Tied to Stress Hormone
New research suggests alcohol dependency may hinge on a specific stress hormone, the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF).
http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/02/01/alcohol-dependency-tied-to-stress-hormone/11086.html

The Age (Pakistan) - Pakistan calls for barriers, alcohol ban
PAKISTAN Sports Minister Aijaz Hussein Jakhrani has urged Cricket Australia to set up barriers at grounds and ban alcohol following the tackle by a spectator on Khalid Latif in Perth on Sunday night.
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/pakistan-calls-for-barriers-alcohol-ban-20100201-n8x6.html

Swissinfo (Switzerland) - Experts send out warning over alcohol ads
A group of addiction prevention experts has said that alcohol adverts on television - allowed since February 1 - must not target youths and children.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/index/Experts_send_out_warning_over_alcohol_ads.html?cid=8210392

Reuters (UK) - Alcohol-related deaths in Britain rising fast
Alcohol-related deaths in Britain have more than doubled over the past 16 years, official statistics showed Thursday, with those in managerial and professional jobs regularly drinking more than manual workers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60R4FW20100128

Scotsman (Scotland) - Labour MSP says minimum pricing for alcohol 'unjust'
MINIMUM pricing for alcohol would bring supermarkets a £90 million "bonanza" at the expense of pensioners and people on low incomes, the Scottish Labour Party has claimed.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Labour-MSP-says-minimum-pricing.6030160.jp

KTUU (USA) - APD: Half of all fatal collisions since 1980 involved alcohol
The Anchorage Police Department has released statistics about local traffic fatalities in the last 30 years.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=11910739

BBC News (Wales) - Petition over Urdd eisteddfod alcohol plan
A drugs advisory body has launched a petition against an annual Welsh language youth festival's plan to sell drink to visitors for the first time.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8488599.stm

BusinessWeek - Alcohol Affects Baby's Pain Regulation
Exposure to alcohol in the womb can alter a child's developing pain regulatory system, a new Canadian study suggests.
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/635311.html

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Aussies 'rather give up sex than grog'
Australians' love affair with grog is so great they'd rather give up sex, their car and their friends than lay off the bottle for a month, a survey shows.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/aussies-rather-give-up-sex-than-grog-20100201-n6zt.html

BBC News (UK) - Tough new rules to tackle under-age drinking
New powers aimed at tackling the problem of under-age drinking in England and Wales have come into force.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8486508.stm

WebMD.Boots.com (UK) - Drinkers think only bingeing is bad for their health
A new campaign launched online today and backed by three major health charities aims to highlight the unseen damage being done to drinkers’ internal organs.
http://www.webmd.boots.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/news/20100129/drinkers-think-only-bingeing-is-bad-for-their-health

The Moscow News online independent newspaper (Russia) - Happy Birthday, Vodka!
January 31 is often considered Russian vodka's unofficial birthday. It was the day when Russian scientist Dmitry Mendeleev defended his doctoral dissertation "On Combining Water and Alcohol" in 1865 in St Petersburg.
http://www.mn.ru/news/20100201/55407092.html

Times of India - Alcohol may lead to violence among couples
According to researchers from University of Texas School of Public Health in Dallas, while the chances of severe male-on-female violence tripled, severe female-on-male violence also more than doubled when the woman drank.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/relationships/man-woman/Alcohol-may-lead-to-violence-among-couples/articleshow/5512723.cms

Los Angeles Times (USA) - More could be better when it comes to attending AA meetings
Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of people get and stay sober. A new study explores why the program may have such a good results record for some.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2010/01/more-could-be-better-when-it-comes-to-attending-aa-meetings.html

The Local (Germany) - Booze-related violence on the rise among youths
The number of alcohol-fuelled acts of violence by youths in Germany has seen a stunning increase over the last decade, a new study released on Monday showed.
http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100201-24949.html

BusinessWeek - Too Much Alcohol Impairs Seniors' Thinking
Elderly people who are heavy drinkers are more likely to suffer memory and cognitive problems than mild-to-moderate drinkers, a new study shows.
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/635310.html

Baltic Times (Lithuania) - Uncollected alcohol excise tax cripples Lithuanian economy
What is the best price for a bottle of Lithuanian vodka? Ten, 25, or 35 litas (respectively 3, 7 and 10 euros)? It seems that some conservatively minded politicians in the Lithuanian Parliament wouldn’t mind if a bottle of national vodka cost one thousand litas.
http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/24237/

YLE News (Finland) - Health Ministry: Finland's Alcohol Consumption Shouldn't Be Encouraged
Allowing Finland’s state-run alcohol chain Alko to open on Sundays is not on the agenda at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, reports the newspaper Länsi-Savo. Instead, a ministry representative says Finns' consumption of alcohol could be further restricted.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/01/health_ministry_finlands_alcohol_consumption_shouldnt_be_encouraged_1394632.html