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Monday, July 27, 2009

Alcohol News - week 30/2009

Ethiopian Review - Drug Use and Addiction in War

We’re all familiar with the ‘War on Drugs’ but what about drugs in war? Drug use in wartime is a topic rarely covered by mainstream media but each war has a distinct underlying drug culture attached to it.
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/articles/17414

Marketing week (UK) – UK to follow Aussie lead on sports sponsorship? Don’t put your shirt on it

Australian sport and alcohol have enjoyed a long and sometimes fruitful relationship. From Foster’s multi-million dollar backing of Aussie Rules football association, the AFL through to tales of Aussie cricketers’ marathon drinking sessions en route to England to do Ashes battle, there is an indelible link between drink and sporting contest Down Under.
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/uk-to-follow-aussie-lead-on-sports-sponsorship?-don%E2%80%99t-put-your-shirt-on-it/3002779.article

Guardian (UK) - What drives a child to drink?

By the time Madeline Hanshaw's son Gary Reinbach was 13 he was drinking heavily. This week, aged just 22, he died of liver failure. Here, she defends herself – and her son's memory – against those who have been quick to pass judgment.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2009/jul/25/gary-reinbach-alcoholic-madeline-hanshaw

BBC (Northrern Ireland) - Compulsory jail drug tests on way

Compulsory drug and alcohol tests for Northern Ireland's prisoners are among rule changes set to be brought in by the prison service.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8168073.stm

Daily Mail (UK) - Children drinking 15 shots of vodka a WEEK as alcohol prices plummet

An NHS survey of children between 11 and 15 last year found that one in six - an estimated 550,000 - said they had drunk alcohol in the previous week.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1201680/Children-young-11-binge-drink-14-units-week.html

BBC News (UK) - UK's 'strongest beer' condemned

A Scottish brewery has been branded "irresponsible" after launching what it said was the UK's strongest beer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/8170813.stm

Daily Mail (UK) - Coroner blames cheap alcohol for soaring number of drink deaths

A coroner has criticised the 24-hour drinking culture and sale of cheap alcohol after presiding over a soaring number of cases involving people who have drunk themselves to death.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1202526/Coroner-blames-cheap-alcohol-soaring-number-drink-deaths.html

MedPage Today - Blood Alcohol Level May Help Predict Complications After Trauma

An elevated blood alcohol level was significantly associated with a higher rate of complications in adults treated at a single trauma center, according to Michael Fleming, MD, MPH, of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and colleagues wrote online in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/EmergencyMedicine/EmergencyMedicine/15228

The Canadian Press - HIV Plus Alcohol Hampers Short-Term Memory

HIV infection and chronic drinking can deal a double blow to short-term memory, a new study has found.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5geQOV43aCabq8ZFDTB6Bd1fTANgA

Nursing in Practice - School pupils more likely to drink alcohol if they live with other drinkers

School pupils aged 11–15 in England are estimated to be more than three times as likely to drink alcohol if they live with other drinkers, a survey from The NHS Information Centre suggests.
http://www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=Schoolpupilsmorelikelytodrinkalcoholiftheylivewithotherdrinkers&page=article.display&article.id=17821

The Associated Press (Bahrain) - Bahrain's allure for Saudis extends beyond alcohol

This tiny Gulf island nation is sick of its reputation as a seedy off-shore Las Vegas and a hotspot of sin for Saudis, so it's starting to rein in the booze. Already it's flooded with Saudis looking for tamer fare they can't get at home in their ultraconservative kingdom — Hannah Montana and heavy metal.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jg9nBwQSkOtc1FoFZwqFZTQTWKdQD99IMQQG0

UGPulse.com (Uganda) - Alcohol threatens Ugandan Economy

Uganda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has said Uganda’s economy is threatened by the citizens’ excessive consumption of alcohol.
http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/news.asp?about=Alcohol+threatens+Ugandan+Economy&ID=11250

Daijiworld.com (Bangalore) - State Mulls Over Complete Ban on Alcohol

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar on Saturday July 25 said that it has been planned to place before the cabinet a proposal to completely ban alcohol in the state.
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=63177&n_tit=Bangalore%3A+State+Mulls+Over+Complete+Ban+on+Alcohol+

The Canadian Press (Brazile) - Prosecutors to oppose alcohol sale in 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Brazilian prosecutors are promising to fight FIFA if alcohol is allowed to be sold in stadiums during the 2014 World Cup of soccer in Brazil.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jkx0_ipn9zSs3hK8U-jCSIrHi_wQ

Daily Post (Wales) - Alcohol related deaths rise by 50% in Wales

A TOP surgeon yesterday called for action to curb to sales of strong, cheap booze after alcohol-related deaths in Wales soared by a worrying 50% in eight years.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2009/07/25/alcohol-related-deaths-rise-by-50-in-wales-55578-24235433/

Politico (USA) - What will it take to change Americans' lifestyles?

The problem with legislative action, though, is that it is not likely to alter the personal behavior that is one reason life expectancy in the United States — 77.9 years — ranks 42nd in the world, well below that of Andorra, the Cayman Islands and most European countries.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25450.html

Monday, July 20, 2009

Alcohol News - week 29/2009

Science Daily - Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Have More Severe Behavioral Problems Than Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Study Finds

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have a high risk of psychiatric problems, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or both.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716164335.htm

Forbes - Fetal Alcohol Disorders Often Misdiagnosed as ADHD

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are often initially diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, since the two problems can manifest in similar ways, a new study shows.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/07/17/hscout629016.html

ANSA.it (Italy) - Milan bans alcohol for minors

Milan became the first Italian city to ban minors under 16 from buying or consuming alcohol when a new ordinance came into force on Monday.
http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-07-20_120393567.html

Science Daily - Genes And The Environment Interact To Influence Adolescent Alcohol Use

Adolescent alcohol use and behavior problems are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090716164333.htm

Australian Food (Australia) -Preventative Health Taskforce recommends sport ad alcohol ban: report

A proposal to ban alcohol advertising in sport has been put forward by the Federal Government’s Preventative Health Taskforce, according to newspaper reports.
http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2009/07/20/preventative-health-taskforce-recommends-sport-ad-alcohol-ban-report.html
also
ABC Online - Country sport fears alcohol ad ban
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200907/s2630562.htm

Medscape - Moderate Alcohol Intake and Cancer Incidence in Women

With the exception of breast cancer, little is known about the effect of moderate intakes of alcohol, or of particular types of alcohol, on cancer risk in women.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704793

Scotsman (Scotland) - Minimum price plan falls foul of EU law

PLANS to stop the sale of cheap drink could be halted because they fall foul of EC free trade rules, opponents have claimed.
http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Minimum-price-plan-falls-foul.5473075.jp

Forbes - Heavy Drinking Linked to Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Heavy drinking, especially when it's beer, increases the risk for highly aggressive prostate cancer, a new study finds.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/07/13/hscout628912.html

RTE.ie (Ireland) - Rise in youth addiction problems reported

One of Ireland's leading drug, alcohol and gambling addiction treatment centres has recorded a big increase in its workload.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0720/drugs.html

Wall Street Journal (China) - Drink of Death: China’s Cadre Culture Gone Wild

The dangers of China’s boozy cadre culture are back in the spotlight after one official died and another fell into a coma in separate incidents last week.
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinajournal/2009/07/20/drink-of-death-chinas-cadre-culture-gone-wild/

CNSNews.com (USA) - Lawmakers Urged to Raise Excise Tax on Alcohol to Fund ‘Wellness’ Programs

A coalition of businesses, non-profits, and government agencies is urging the House of Representatives to include an alcohol tax hike in its health care bill.
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=51205

Reuters India (Russia) - Russia's Medvedev praises Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday praised the unpopular 1980s anti-alcohol campaign of the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and suggested his own crusade could also introduce new restrictions.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-41121920090717

Reuters (Asia) - Asia's beverage sector fizzes despite downturn

The crowds drinking beer in the bustling bars of Mumbai and Shanghai underscore the motive behind a flurry of recent merger and acquisition activity in Asia, with forecasts of strong growth for beer and spirits in years to come.
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE56J01S20090720

KAIT8 - Truth on Alcohol and Alzheimer's

A recent report from Medpage TODAY and ABC News claims a study presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, shows a couple of drinks a day could lower the risk of dementia. But Dr. Thomas Mulligan with the Center on Aging Northeast says this report is a bit misleading and offers a surprising warning.
http://www.kait8.com/Global/story.asp?S=10744552

Los Angeles Times (EU) - EU says Denmark, Ireland and Finland have highest prices for food, clothing and electronics

Denmark, Ireland and Finland had the highest overall prices of all European Union nations for consumer goods such as food, clothing and electronics last year, the EU statistics agency said Thursday.
http://www.latimes.com/business/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-eu-eu-prices,0,5379006.story

The Swedish Wire (Sweden) - Foreigners pick up cheap booze in Sweden

For many years Sweden has been famous for its expensive alcohol due to high taxes and a state-run alcohol-retailing system. But the times appears to be a-changin.
http://www.swedishwire.com/business/518-foreigners-pick-up-cheap-booze-in-sweden-

The Baltic Course (Latvia) - Alcohol curfew regulations likely to be changed in Latvia

It is highly probable that the law on sale of alcoholic beverages in Latvia will be amended, Assistant Chairman of Saeima's Economic Committee Vents Armands Krauklis (People's Party) announced today.
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=15890

Monday, July 13, 2009

Alcohol News - week 28/2009

Marketing Week (UK) - Cinema alcohol ad rules fail children, says charity

Current restrictions on alcohol advertising at the cinema are being ignored putting children’s health at risk, according to a leading alcohol charity.
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/cinema-alcohol-ad-rules-fail-children-says-charity/3002285.article

YLE.fi (Finland/Estonia) - Massive Alcohol Smuggling Case

Customs officials are preparing a case involving a massive smuggling of illegal alcohol into Finland. Three men from south-east Finland are suspected of leading an organisation that smuggled at least 85,000 litres of alcohol from Estonia to Finland over a three-year period.
http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2009/07/massive_alcohol_smuggling_case_858327.html

CNN International (India) - Tainted alcohol leaves children without fathers

It is a scenario that has played out dozens of times, killing hundreds of people across India over the years. In Ahmedabad this month, police said more than 100 people died and more than 200 were sickened after drinking tainted alcohol.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/13/india.alcohol.deaths/

MedPage Today - Heavy Drinking Boosts Prostate Cancer Risk

Regular, heavy consumption of alcohol increased the risk of high-grade prostate cancer and blunted the chemopreventive effect of finasteride, data from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) showed.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Urology/ProstateCancer/15046

Ethiopian Review - Alcohol goes to the head in six minutes, scientists say

For the first time, researchers have proved the rapid changes that drinking alcohol causes in human brain cells.
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/articles/13582

Los Angeles Times (USA) - Alcohol sales to minors an issue with self-service checkout

The state Senate begins debating a bill today that would force supermarkets to route alcohol sales through cashiers. The all-self-checkout Fresh & Easy stores would especially be affected.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-booze8-2009jul08,0,723067.story

7thSpace Interactive (Sweden) - Alcohol use among university students in Sweden measured by an electronic screening instrument

Electronic-based alcohol screening and brief interventions for university students with problemdrinking behaviours forms an important means by which to identify risky drinkers.
http://7thspace.com/headlines/314202/alcohol_use_among_university_students_in_sweden_measured_by_an_electronic_screening_instrument.html

NEWS.com.au (Australia) - Booze behind most Australians' murderous intent

ALCOHOL was involved in almost half of all homicides in Australia between 2000 and 2006, new figures show.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25772059-29277,00.html

WalesOnline (Wales) - Alcohol deaths treble in Wales

DEATHS from alcohol abuse in Wales have almost trebled in a generation, according to shocking new official figures.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/12/alcohol-deaths-treble-in-wales-91466-24131641/

Science Daily - College Students Might Drink Less If They Knew Peers' True Habits

Blame it on peer pressure. When college students think that other undergrads drink a lot of alcohol, they drink more themselves.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709205421.htm

Jerusalem Post (Israel) - Bill would forbid minors from drinking alcohol outside their homes

Following two deadly weekend car accidents likely caused by drinking, MK Yariv Levin (Likud) was planning to submit a bill Sunday forbidding anyone under the age of 18 from consuming alcohol outside their homes.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1246443780304&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

MedIndia - Infection, Alcohol and Diabetes Double Death Risk in Stroke Patients

A new study has warned that heavy drinking, type 1 diabetes or having a preceding infection is likely to double the risk of death in stroke patients.
http://www.medindia.net/news/Infection-Alcohol-and-Diabetes-Doubles-Death-Risk-in-Stroke-Patients-54554-1.htm

Arizona Republic - Survey: Dads lag in talking to kids about drugs, alcohol

A recent survey indicates that fathers are likely to leave it to mothers to talk with their children about substance abuse.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/2009/07/09/20090709drugdads0709.html

Science Daily - Student Drinking: Changing Perceptions Reduces Alcohol Misuse

Giving students personalised feedback on their drinking behaviour and how it compares to social norms might help to reduce alcohol misuse, according to a Cochrane Systematic Review.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707201116.htm

KION46 (USA) - Is there Alcohol in Your Kids Energy Drink? Maybe

The Hollister Police Department has received information from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control that minors are buying alcoholic beverages that are commonly mistaken for energy drinks. Those drinks are known as "alcopops", and they resemble energy drinks.
http://www.kionrightnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=10667356

ABC Online (Australia) - Economic downturn increases rural substance abuse

A health advocacy group fears more people in rural Australia are using alcohol to cope with stress caused by the economic downturn.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200907/s2623972.htm

Telegraph.co.uk (UK) - Alcohol deaths rise by 40 per cent

The number of women dying from alcohol-related causes increased by 32 per cent and male deaths rose by 43 per cent.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5780529/Alcohol-deaths-rise-by-40-per-cent.html

PrisonPlanet - Drunken and Disturbed Children; The Failure Of Government, Police, Media and Parents

The research found British children regard themselves as less happy, drink more alcohol, take more drugs, and had more underage sex than children elsewhere.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/drunken-and-disturbed-children-the-failure-of-government-police-media-and-parents.html

The Baltic Course (Latvia) - Latvian breweries want ban on retail of beer during nighttime hours lifted

Latvian beer producers and retailers have turned to the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry with a proposal to lift the ban on selling beer at nighttime, as Inara Sure, the Aldaris brewery board chairman, told LETA.
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=15656

The Local (Germany) - Alcohol abuse spikes for Germans over 50

Incidents of alcohol poisoning and abuse among people between 50 and 60 years of age have risen in states across Germany, health insurer DAK confirmed on Wednesday.
http://www.thelocal.de/national/20090708-20465.html

Monday, July 6, 2009

Alcohol News - week 27/2009

SignOnSanDiego - Think. Drink. Think again.

There's nothing like a cold beer on a sweltering summer day. George Koob can tell you exactly what makes that beer so satisfying – how the alcohol triggers a cascade of pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters in the brain.
http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jun/29/1c29alcohol19135-think-drink-think-again/?science&zIndex=124043

Telegraph (UK) - Alcohol advertising should be banned, British Medical Association says

The conference passed a motion calling for a complete ban on advertising and for a minimum price per unit of alcohol to be set which would increase the cost of cut price alcohol and reduce consumption.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5721919/Alcohol-advertising-should-be-banned-British-Medical-Association-says.html

New York Times (Australia) - Facing a Crisis, Aborigines Stage Interventions of Their Own

Since Halls Creek recently became the latest Aboriginal town in the Australian outback to restrict alcohol sales, its doctors and police officers have been getting more sleep thanks to a steep dropoff in nighttime brawls.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/world/asia/05australia.html?hpw

Swissinfo (Turkey) - Turkish alcohol sector attacks new ad restrictions

Turkish alcohol producers voiced deep concern on Monday about new advertising restrictions which they say severely curb alcohol advertisements in Muslim, but secular, Turkey.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Turkish_alcohol_sector_attacks_new_ad_restrictions.html?siteSect=143&sid=10923052&cKey=1246890201000&ty=ti

China Daily (China) - Media: China to delay adjustment of alcohol tax

The State Council, or China's cabinet, will delay the adjustment of a consumption tax on alcohol products, local media reported last Friday.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-07/06/content_8383185.htm

The Swedish Wire (EU) - Sweden wants to raise EU alcohol taxes

Christian Democrat Göran Hägglund wants to roll out Sweden’s restrictive alcohol policy in Europe and put new EU-wide rules into practice as a part of the Swedish EU presidency.
http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/468-sweden-wants-to-raise-eu-alcohol-taxes

RIA Novosti (Russia) - Medvedev against ban on alcohol, will fight problem differently

The Russian authorities are preparing a number of serious solutions to fight alcoholism, President Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday, adding that a ban would not help solve the problem.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090704/155431427.html

The Publican (UK) - Teenagers drink 'for something to do', says survey

One in four young people drink alcohol for ‘something to do’, according to new research launched by alcohol charity Drinkaware.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=64380&c=1

guardian.co.uk (UK) - It's time for action on alcohol prices

The BMA's support for minimum unit pricing to combat the soaring cost of drink-related illnesses (Doctors vote for alcohol ads ban, 3 July) is a real call for the government to take effective action - the medical profession is united on this.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jul/04/alcohol-abuse-prices-doctors

ZDNet (USA) - 60% of Americans would give up alcohol for their mobile phones

In a survey indicative of how users interact with their electronic devices, one in three Americans said they would give up television to keep their mobile phone, and a full 60 percent said they would give up alcohol for a week instead.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=20569

Wall Street Journal (USA) - Study: Drug, Alcohol Use Among Young Adults Goes Untreated

About seven million young adults in the past year were classified as needing treatment to overcome alcoholism or illegal drug usage, a new national study released Monday said.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090629-700006.html

National Business Review - Moderate drinkers live longer partly due to wealth & disability factors

Some of the association between moderate alcohol consumption and longer life is explained by the fact that teetotallers are less wealthy, less educated and more likely to be disabled, according to a new US study.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/moderate-drinkers-live-longer-partly-due-wealth-disability-factors-104889

Forbes - Increasing Alcohol Use Tied to More Hospitalization

The more alcohol men drink, the more time they spend in a hospital, research from the United Kingdom has found.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/07/01/hscout628588.html

Scotsman (Scotland) - Minimum price for alcohol set at 40p per unit

Scotland on Sunday understands that the SNP is poised to back a 40p per unit rate for all alcoholic drinks when it announces its full plans later this year. The government believes that it will stop shops from selling loss-leading cheap drink, while leaving more expensive brands untouched.
http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Minimum-price-for-alcohol-set.5430099.jp

Guardian (UK) - 'Wild side' alcohol ad banned by ASA

An alcohol advertising campaign showing a woman seducing a man and turning into a leopard has been banned by the ASA after a complaint from Alcohol Concern objecting that it linked drinking to seduction and sexual success.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jul/01/wild-africa-cream-alcohol-sex-ad-banned-asa#

Bloomberg (UK/France) - Britons Abandon Cheap Booze Cruises to France on Weaker Pound

Franglais, a warehouse of discount wine built for British day-trippers, had one shopper parked outside on a spring Saturday. Neighbors on the retail strip near the Calais ferry terminal were also deserted, including the only French outlet of Tesco Plc.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=aK5KItkfOcRM