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Monday, January 25, 2010

Alcohol News - 4/2010

Wall Street Journal (UK) - Britain's Battle With Booze
Under proposals just introduced in the British Parliament, "all-you-can-drink" promotions and speed drinking competitions would be banned from bars, and other measures aimed at stopping Brits getting drunk would be instituted. These proposals follow a December parliamentary report that warned of three million Britons addicted to alcohol.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704375604575022682394504918.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

The Publican (UK) - Supermarkets are "creating alcoholics", claims ex-Tory leaderFormer Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith has accused supermarkets of “creating alcoholics” with their “immoral” attitude to alcohol.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=66243&c=1

ABC Online (Australia) - Alcohol bans cutting crime: Mayor
The Mayor of Ceduna, Allan Suter, says crime and other social problems have eased this summer due to new alcohol restrictions.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/25/2800296.htm

BBC News (UK) - Supermarket alcohol promotions 'reduced'
Supermarkets are reducing their promotions on alcoholic drinks, according to The Grocer magazine.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8476315.stm

Globbaly.co.uk (UK) - Labour announces tougher alcohol promotion rulesThe government has announced that after April establishments which sell alcohol will no longer be allowed to advertise drinks promotions which encourage people to binge-drink.
http://www.globally.co.uk/labour-announces-tougher-alcohol-promotion-rules-2727/

BBC News (Northern Ireland) - Alcohol a 'major contributing factor' in self harmAlcohol was involved in nearly two thirds of self harm cases which were recorded as part of a pilot programme in the Western Health Trust area.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8472567.stm

The Guardian - Alcohol industry is 'targeting young people'The alcohol industry is sidestepping advertising rules by targeting young people, implying that drinking will bring friends and fun, and making light of drunkenness, according to an analysis for the British Medical Journal published today.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/21/alcohol-young-people-advertising

BBC News (Scotland) - Inmate-alcohol crime link rises
Half of all inmates in Scotland's prisons said they were drunk at the time of their offence, a survey by the Scottish Prison Service has revealed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8474306.stm

Balkans.com Business News (Serbia) - Serbia ups excise duty on tobacco, fuel and alcohol
The Serbian government has increased excise duty on fuel and tobacco by 1.58% and on alcoholic beverages by 10.37% in a regular annual adjustment.
http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=45332

Science Daily - Rice Responsible for Asians' Alcohol Flush Reaction, Research FindsThe mutation responsible for the alcohol flush reaction, an unpleasant response to alcohol that is relatively common in people of Asian descent, may have occurred following the domestication of rice.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100119213140.htm

IceNews (Finland) - Finnish drinking habits confronted by new reality TV showA new television series entitled Lupaus (Promise) is to be launched by Finnish broadcaster YLE and will feature everyday Finns in a five-week pledge to give up drinking alcohol.
http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2010/01/23/finnish-drinking-habits-confronted-by-new-reality-tv-show/

The Local (Sweden) - Temperance society slams proposal for new alcohol laws
Restaurants serving cold food, such as sushi, will be able to obtain alcohol licenses if a proposal for new alcohol laws is accepted. The move has been branded deplorable by Sweden’s temperance society.
http://www.thelocal.se/24420/20100116/

The Baltic Course (Latvia) - Minimum vodka price in Russia may have positive effect on legal alcohol sector in Latvia
The minimum vodka price that was introduced in Russia January 1, 2010, could have a favorable effect on the alcohol business in Latvia, as several alcohol producers informed the business portal Nozare.lv.
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=22191

WHO - Is low dose alcohol exposure during pregnancy harmful?
Statistics show that social drinking among western women during pregnancy is relatively common. There is consensus among researchers that heavy drinking during pregnancy has damaging effects on the central nervous system of the fetus, such as neurological anomalies, delayed mental development and later behavioural problems.
http://www.euro.who.int/HEN/Syntheses/short/20100115_1

Kremlin (Russia) - Excerpts from Transcript of Meeting on Measures to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in Russia
As was agreed a while ago, we are meeting today in expanded format to discuss measures for fighting alcoholism. At the State Council meeting on youth policy we agreed to address this subject separately, in detail, and make the necessary decisions.
http://eng.kremlin.ru/text/speeches/2009/08/12/1845_type82912type82913_220798.shtml

Monday, January 18, 2010

Alcohol News - 3/2010

Telegraph.co.uk (Scotland) - Scots drink 25 per cent more alcohol
Scots are drinking 25 per cent more alcohol than people south of the Border and the difference in consumption is widening, according to a new study.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/scotland/7012094/Scots-drink-25-per-cent-more-alcohol.html

Times Online (Scotland) - Shocking drink figures fail to persuade
Labour indicated yesterday that it was still not prepared to support the Scottish government’s proposal of minimum pricing for alcohol despite shocking new statistics on drink consumption north of the Border.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6991715.ece

Manila Bulletin (Philippines) - Survey: Peer pressure leads more teeners to drink alcohol
Peer pressure is forcing more Filipino teenagers aged 13 to 15 to drink alcoholic beverages, a World Health Organization survey found.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/239104/survey-peer-pressure-leads-more-teeners-drink-alcoho

Mirror.co.uk (UK) - A week in the life of booze-up Britain
This week -as ministers prepare to crack down on the cut-price booze that fuels the scourge - a special Mirror investigation presents a harrowing insight into the sordid reality of the binge-drinking menace blighting Britain.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/01/18/a-week-in-the-life-of-booze-up-britain-115875-21975970/

Wall Street Journal (UK) - UK Government: No Plans To Introduce Minimum Alcohol Prices
The U.K. government Thursday ruled out the introduction of legislation which would set minimum pricing for alcohol, despite calls to tackle the problem of binge-drinking.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100114-704742.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLEHeadlinesEurope

Reuters (WHO) - Price rises are key to tackling alcohol abuse: WHO
Binge drinking and other growing forms of harmful use of alcohol should be tackled through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing regulations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60B4Q220100112

RT (Russia) - Alcohol importers request delay on new licensing
Eleven of Russia’s largest alcohol importers have written to Prime Minister Putin and the Head of the customs service requesting a delay in the implementation of new import licensing requirements.
http://rt.com/Business/2010-01-18/alcohol-importers-request-delay.html

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Wine, beer 'may become more expensive'
An overhaul of Australia's complex alcohol tax regime being considered by the federal government would raise the price of wine and full-strength beer but, controversially, lower the price of alcopops.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/wine-beer-may-become-more-expensive-20100117-mdpt.html

Reuters (Russia) - Putin calls time on Russians' alcohol habit
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, alarmed by Russians' love affair with alcohol, gave the go-ahead on Thursday for a campaign to cut consumption by more than half in the next 10 years.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60D4N620100114

Herald Sun - Alcohol permanently changes foetus genes – study
A STUDY showing alcohol consumption can permanently change genes in developing foetuses may be the first step to developing a diagnosis for foetal alcohol syndrome.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/alcohol-permanently-changes-foetus-genes-study/story-e6frf7jx-

Phuket Gazette (Thailand) - Crackdown on alcohol sales violations in Phuket
The 2008 Alcohol Control Act states that alcohol products cannot be sold at places of worship, health centers and hospitals, government offices, educational institutions, gas stations and public parks.
http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2010/article8255.html

The Guardian (UK) - Alcohol content labels will replace 'misunderstood' units system under Tory plans
Labels detailing the precise alcoholic content of drinks will replace the "misunderstood units" system under Conservative plans to warn the public about the dangers of excessive consumption.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jan/13/alcohol-labelling-conservatives-plans

BBC News (Scotland) - Alcohol abuse 'costs every Scot £900 a year'
Alcohol misuse could be costing every adult in Scotland £900 every year, according to a new report.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8453060.stm

Daily Mail (UK) - Under 21s to be asked for ID in binge drinking crackdown
Pubs, bars and off-licences will be forced to ask under 21s for identity in the latest crackdown on binge drinking.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1243500/Under-21s-asked-ID-binge-drinking-crackdown.html

Baltic Reports (Estonia) - Restrictions proposed on alcohol ads, sales
According to the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, the average Estonian consumed 11.9 liters of alcohol in 2008, placing it in second place for alcohol consumption in Europe.
http://balticreports.com/?p=7949

Monday, January 11, 2010

Alcohol News - 2/2010

Science Daily - Molecule Repairs Alcohol Metabolism Enzyme
An experimental compound repaired a defective alcohol metabolism enzyme that affects an estimated 1 billion people worldwide, according to research supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100110151335.htm

Chicago Tribune (USA) - Lawmakers to consider changes to alcohol laws
The General Assembly plans to consider changes to Indiana's alcohol laws this session, including proposals that would allow microbreweries to sell takeout beer on Sundays and permit alcohol sales during voting hours on Election Day.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-xgr-alcoholbills,0,7172375.story

Bernama (Russia) - Hidden Advertising Of Alcohol, Tobacco In Cinema Should Be Banned
The hidden advertising of alcohol and tobacco products in cinema should be banned, the chief of the Russian consumer rights watchdog (Rospotrebnadzor) Gennady Onishchenko proposed, Russian news agency, Itar-Tass, reported.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=467547

Chicago Flame Online (USA) - Alcohol nutrition labels: To drink or not to drink once you see what's in it
That's why for decades the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau (TTB), which regulates alcohol labeling, has been pressured by consumer groups who want more information about the spirits we consume to be labeled on the product.
http://media.www.chicagoflame.com/media/storage/paper519/news/2010/01/11/Pulse/Alcohol.Nutrition.Labels.To.Drink.Or.Not.To.Drink.Once.You.See.Whats.In.It-3852319.shtml

BusinessWeek (Greece) - Greece raises tobacco, alcohol taxes
Greece's center-left government said Friday it is increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol, looking for euro1 billion ($1.43 billion) in badly needed revenues as the country grapples with a debt crisis.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9D3NV6O1.htm

Bloomberg (UK) - Alcohol Needs Minimum Price, Warning Labels, U.K. Lawmakers Say
The U.K. government should introduce minimum prices on alcoholic drinks as well as mandatory health warnings on labels and higher taxes to curb drunkenness, a panel of lawmakers said.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=a92XdF_Udjck

Sportbusiness.com (EU) - European body rejects government report on alcohol sponsorship
The European Sponsorship Association (ESA), the trade body representing the sponsorship industry in Europe, has said the UK government’s Health Committee Report on Alcohol misrepresents the complete picture of the alcohol sponsorship landscape and “fails to acknowledge self-regulation activity by rights-holders”.
http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/171371/european-body-rejects-government-report-on-alcohol-sponsorship

Republica (Nepal) - Panel advocates alcohol act
In a discussion program organized by Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN) and Nepal Alcohol Policy Alliance (NAPA), participants from different government and social sectors expressed their concerns for an alcohol act in the country.
http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=13927

Bangkok Post (Thailand) - Critics fear excise review will reduce alcohol price
Opposition is mounting to a government plan to review excise taxes on alcohol. Critics claim the planned changes will benefit liquor producers and encourage consumers to drink more.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/30805/critics-fear-excise-review-will-reduce-alcohol-price

The Press Association (UK) - Call for drunk patients to be fined
A right-of-centre think tank has called for drunk NHS patients to be fined and prescriptions for common pain killers to be scrapped.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5i9Tl6BSOqmp1ajKSzPWrwZBf7-ow

Times of India - Online intervention can reduce alcohol abuse
The researchers found that problem drinkers provided access to the online screener www.CheckYourDrinking.net, reduced their alcohol consumption by 30pct.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life/health-fitness/health/Online-intervention-can-reduce-alcohol-abuse/articleshow/5416241.cms

CompareAndSave.com (France) - Dangers of alcohol highlighted to skiers
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is reaching out to travel insurance customers in order to highlight the dangers of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol at ski resorts.
http://www.compareandsave.com/news/Dangers-of-alcohol-highlighted-to-skiers/

Monday, January 4, 2010

Alcohol News - 1/2010

Washington Post (Iraq) - Crackdown on alcohol seen as part of conservative moment in Iraq
In recent months, the pendulum has veered toward conservative mores. Government officials, including many competing in the upcoming parliamentary election, have sought to impose stricter limits on alcohol consumption and coeducational schools.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/03/AR2010010302228.html

Healthcare Republic (UK) - Keep TV product placement ban on alcohol and junk food, urges BMA
Junk food and alcoholic drinks should be excluded from new rules allowing product placement on TV, the BMA has said.
http://www.healthcarerepublic.com/News/MostRead/975454/Keep-TV-product-placement-ban-alcohol-junk-food-urges-BMA/

BBC (Russia) - Trying to break Russia's vodka dependence
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is hoping for some New Year's resolution among his countrymen, as he takes on one of Russia's most deeply-entrenched and prickliest problems - alcoholism.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8432271.stm

Daily Post (Wales) - North Wales’ new chief constable to tackle drugs and booze
Mark Polin, who took up his new job as the region’s top cop in September, is backing restorative justice for minor crimes – a strategy that makes offenders meet and apologise to their victims.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/01/04/north-wales-new-chief-constable-to-tackle-drug-and-alcohol-crime-in-2010-55578-25517736/

Scotsman (Scotland) - Pubs to re-run 'sale' despite binge warning
A JANUARY sales offer of bargain price beer, wine and spirits slashed to 99p is being launched today by pub chain JD Wetherspoon, despite accusations that it will fuel Scotland's binge drinking crisis.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Pubs-to-rerun-39sale39-despite.5952636.jp

BBC News (UK) - Rising alcohol addiction costs 'could cripple the NHS'
The cost of treating the growing number of people drinking heavily threatens to cripple NHS hospitals, warn experts.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8433935.stm

Globe and Mail - Misleading beverage labels put fetuses at risk
Pregnant women drinking non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages may be putting their babies at risk because some brands contain more alcohol than is advertised on the label, according to a study released today by the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/misleading-beverage-labels-put-fetuses-at-risk/article1417813/

Morning Advertiser (UK) - MPs set to recommend minimum pricing
A Health Committee Select Report is set to recommend introducing a minimum price of 50p a unit on alcoholic drinks.
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/85446

WalesOnline (Wales) - Wales and alcohol: Shocking results of our nationwide survey
An exclusive online poll conducted by Wales on Sunday makes worrying reading, with its findings leading to urgent warnings of the damage that Welsh drinkers are doing to their health.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/01/03/wales-and-alcohol-shocking-results-of-our-nationwide-survey-91466-25512345/

Gov Monitor (UK) - Is Alcohol England’s Most Dangerous Drug
The Government’s approach to tackling the problems of drugs, legal and illegal, was brought into severe question when the Home Secretary sacked its Chief Scientific Advisor on Drug Policy, Professor David Nutt, from his position as Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).
http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/britain/is-alcohol-englands-most-dangerous-drug-19912.html

NPR (Uganda) - Ugandan Home Brews Result In More Than Hangovers
The World Health Organization named the people of Uganda the world's No. 1 consumers of alcoholic beverages in 2004.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122123930

Daily Mail (UK) - Government health warnings for alcohol snubbed by drinks firms
Drinks firms have snubbed a Government call to put health messages and warnings for pregnant women on their bottles.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1239965/Government-health-warnings-alcohol-snubbed-drinks-firms.html

Times Online (France) - French clubbers win the right to party all night long
France may be famous for its joie de vivre, but night-clubbers say that it has become the dullest country in Europe, with French dance-floors shutting long before those of neighbouring countries.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6974604.ece

Spiegel Online (Germany) - Unions Want Controls On Airport Perfume And Alcohol Sales
In the wake of the Christmas Day terror attempt on a Northwest Airlines flight, two major German employee unions are calling for closer scrutiny of products sold in airport duty free shops. Highly flammable perfumes and high-percentage spirits could be used to make explosive devices, they argue.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,669674,00.html

TIME (India) - Tapping into India's Growing Alcohol Market
The Indian market for alcohol — mostly spirits and beer, as well as wine — totaled $14 billion last year, and was one of the fastest-growing alcohol markets in the world.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1949796,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

Helsingin Sanomat (Finland) - Alcohol is a major health hazard
In 2008, Finns aged over 15 consumed an average of 12.5 litres of 100 per cent pure alcohol. In other words, each of them drank three bottles of medium-strength beer on average every day.
http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Alcohol+is+a+major+health+hazard+/1135251815018

Reuters - Smoking, drinking up risks of gut, throat cancers
A new study confirms that smoking raises a person's risks of the major forms of esophageal and stomach cancers, while drinking has more narrow effects.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BU2V420091231