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Monday, March 28, 2011

Alcohol News - 13/2011

ABC News (Finland) - Parental Drinking Boosts Teen Alcohol Risks
Reporting in the February issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, researchers analyzed data collected from 2,402 male and 2,329 female teens and their parents in Finland.
Talking Alcohol (Estonia) - Estonia: Alcohol-content cosmetics to be subjected to excise
Estonian authorities are considering imposing an alcohol excise tax on alcohol-containing cosmetic products. The ambiguous target to tax perfumed spirits and cosmetics is hard to reach while the tax is supported by health authorities.
U.S. News & World Report (USA) - Alcohol May Play Dual Role in Some Cases of Elder Abuse
Seniors who suffer elder abuse are more likely to be women, to have a neurological or mental disorder and to abuse drugs or alcohol, new research indicates.
AHN | All Headline News (USA) - Alcohol-sniffing anklets find increasing popularity
The devices keep tabs on hard core drunk drivers facing charges for a new offense. The alcohol-sniffing anklets, known as SCRAMx (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor), are monitoring offenders 24/7 before trial to keep the high-risk group from drinking, as well as keeping the public safe.
TopNews New Zealand (New Zealand) - Green Party Appeals for Changes in Alcohol Reform Bill
A massive rise of 15% in the cases of alcohol or drug dependency has been notified by the Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) in 2010 in Auckland, as per reports.
Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Navy chief demands end to booze culture
Navy chief Russ Crane has read the riot act to his sailors, threatening tough new measures unless the service changes its hard-drinking culture.
Telegraph.co.uk (Scotland) - Lord Advocate warns of Scotland alcohol 'apocalypse'
Scotland is facing an “apocalypse” of alcohol-fuelled crime unless action is taken to tackle its binge-drinking culture, the country’s most senior law officer has warned.
BBC News (UK) - Calls to limit child exposure to alcohol ads
A bid to get the government to take a tougher stance on alcohol advertising in the UK has been given the backing of health experts.
Times of India - Male foetuses more vulnerable to alcohol
The effect of alcohol on the foetus of two women may not be the same. One woman who drinks alcohol during pregnancy may deliver a child with physical, behavioural or learning problems, while another woman who also drinks alcohol may give birth to a 'normal' child.
Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Calls for alcohol labelling to help stamp out drinking during pregnancy
THE high risk of foetal alcohol syndrome to the babies of drinking mothers has spurred a bipartisan group of federal MPs to call for the introduction of health warnings on liquor products.
Times of India (India) - Mumbai: Drown your sorrows in costlier alcohol
Imbibing alcohol in the city has never been easy on the Mumbaikar's wallet, and there will no forthcoming relief as the Maharashtra government has increased excise duty on all liquor, with the exception of wine.
Herald Scotland (Scotland) - Scotland could go it alone in cutting legal alcohol limit
PLANS to lower the legal drink-drive limit could go ahead in Scotland despite the UK Government yesterday rejecting any change to the law. The Scottish Government said it would take action at an “early opportunity” once the Scotland Bill is passed and responsibility for the issue is devolved.
BBC News (UK) - Alcohol misuse tackled in Liverpool
Alcohol misuse is being addressed by health bosses in Liverpool, who have unveiled a three-year strategy to tackle the problem.
Marketwire (Canada) - Research Shows Drug-impaired Driving is as Prevalent as Alcohol-impaired Driving and its Possible Link to Fatally Injured Drivers
The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) today released two studies: Alcohol and Drug Use Among Drivers: British Columbia Roadside Survey 2010 and A Comparison of Drug and Alcohol-involved Motor Vehicle Driver Fatalities. These studies reveal that driving after drug use is a growing issue that is as prevalent as driving after alcohol use—and that drug-impairment may also be a contributing factor to collisions and fatal road crashes.
NDTV.com (India) - Alcohol consumption in Delhi doubled during World Cup: Survey
Delhiites as young as sixteen years have taken to alcohol in a big way during the ongoing cricket World Cup, says a survey by a commerce chamber adding that the total liquor consumption has also doubled.
PR Newswire (USA) - MADD and Archie Comics Team Up to Prevent Underage Drinking
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Archie Comics® have partnered to raise awareness about underage drinking in advance of MADD's first annual PowerTalk 21™ day on April 21 — the national day for parents to start talking with their kids about alcohol.
ABC Online (Australia) - Last drinks to be called early at pubs and clubs
The State Government wants hotels and clubs to have to close between four and seven am, with Consumer Affairs Minister Gail Gago saying this sends a clear message antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated.
New Zimbabwe.com (Zimbabwe) - New Bill limits alcohol sale to 3 pints
A BILL is due before Zimbabwe’s parliament which will compel bar staff to serve a maximum of four beers to men, and just three beers to women.
BusinessWeek - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Linked to Behavior Problems in Teens
Teens whose mothers drank alcohol regularly throughout the first trimester of pregnancy have a threefold increased risk of developing severe behavior problems, a new study warns.
The Moscow Times (Russia) - Tax on Vodka, Cigarettes to Feed Budget
The Finance Ministry has prepared a proposal to selectively raise taxes to add 1.9 trillion rubles ($66.9 billion) to the federal budget in 2012-14. A fourfold increase in the excise tax on alcohol by 2014 would have the greatest impact among the proposed increases.
DutchNews.nl (Netherlands) - Young teenagers can still buy alcohol easily
Youngsters under the age of 16 can easily buy alcohol in shops and supermarkets, according to research by students at Twente University.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Alcohol News - 12/2011

TheParliament.com (EU) - EU urged to put health warnings on beers and wines
A UK health expert has called for mandatory health warning information on alcohol drinks. Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Nick Sheron, however, cautioned against the "nasty, horrible" images on tobacco packaging.
Norway: Government has to accept alcohol advertising on TV
The EU Commission will not grant Norway a continued exemption from the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. This means that the Norwegian government will have to accept TV advertising for alcoholic beverages in Norway when it is broadcast from another country.
BusinessWeek (Germany) - Drinking Behavior May Be Tied to Early Alcohol Use
Young adults are more likely to be heavy drinkers if they took their first drink of alcohol at an early age and also had to cope with stressful life events, a new study suggests.
Fox News - Heavy Drinking Linked to Increased Risk of Pancreatic Cancer
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to pancreatic cancer, and now it appears drinking is too.
New York Daily News - Hangovers only get worse as we get older, experts say; Processing alcohol gets tougher with age
While it may be hard to ignore the lure of St. Patrick's Day revelry, experts say you might want to think twice before hitting the Guinness like you might have in your younger years. Science shows that hangovers actually get worse with age, MSNBC.com reported.
BusinessWeek - Rat Study Sheds Light on How Alcohol Affects Young Brain
Based on the results of a new study conducted with rats, researchers say that kids who drink alcohol may have trouble with decision-making in adulthood.
ABC Online (Australia) - Aussie women among worst for alcohol impact
Australian men and women like to drink but an international study has found that for Australian women, the social and personal consequences of drinking are among the worst in the world.
Sify - Parental monitoring 'decreases alcohol-related problems in young adults'
A new study suggests that those young adults whose parents monitor their social interactions may be less likely to display impulsive behavior traits and to have alcohol-related problems.
The Imperfect Parent - Teens from wealthy families more likely to drink
A recent UK study has shown that teens from wealthier families have a tendency to drink more alcohol than their peers from lower income families. The study was based on the responses of 5,837 thirteen year-olds who were involved in a long-term health study. For this part of the study, the teens’ families were divided into five different income brackets.
Independent (UK) - Government rules out lower drink-drive limit
Britain’s legal drink-drive limit will not be lowered, the Government said today, despite a recommendation by its own experts that it should be reduced.
Times LIVE (South Africa) - Poverty fuelling drug and alcohol abuse
The widespread poverty and unemployment in South Africa is fuelling drug and alcohol abuse, Congress of SA Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says.
The Press Association (Scotland) - Government hits alcohol help target
A target to help address alcohol abuse has been reached ahead of schedule, according to the Scottish Government.
NEWS.com.au (Australia) - Parents coud be fined under fresh booze law
VICTORIA will join New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland by making it illegal for adults to give children alcohol in their homes without parental permission.
Lincoln Journal Star (USA) - Bill would end insanity defense in criminal cases involving drugs or alcohol
Lawmakers gave 40-2, first-round approval to his bill (LB100) Tuesday that would eliminate the criminal defense of "not responsible by reason of insanity" in situations in which a defendant was voluntarily intoxicated or high when a crime was committed.
BBC News (Wales) - Alcohol Concern Cymru in Welsh assembly drink laws call
Alcohol campaigners are calling for the Welsh Assembly Government to be given the powers to set minimum prices for drink.
NASDAQ (Peru) - Drugs And Alcohol Become Election Issues In Peru
With opponents breathing down his neck, presidential front- runner Alejandro Toledo has taken a blood test to show he is clean of any drug use, and says he has given up drinking hard liquor.
This is London (UK) - Government deal with alcohol industry under fire again
The controversial public health agreement between the Government and the food and drink industries has come under fresh attack from leading health organisations, leaving major retailers as its main backers.
Morning Advertiser (Scotland) - Diageo severs ties with Alcohol Focus Scotland group
Drinks giant Diageo has cut its ties with Scotland’s most prominent alcohol awareness charity after the group suggested alcohol policy should be similar to that on tobacco.
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Monday, March 14, 2011

Alcohol News - 11/2011

Helsinki Times (Finland) - The bare truth about young Finnish women
Young women are consuming alcohol like never before, the tabloid Iltasanomat writes. “RECENT studies have shown that binge drinking particularly amongst young women has greatly increased in the last few years.
EurekAlert (Sweden) - Parents important for keeping adolescents off alcohol
Parents who are both present and engaged are the very best way of preventing teenagers from consuming large quantities of alcohol. Adolescents who smoke, stay out with their friends and have access to alcohol – from their parents, for example – when they are as young as 13 are at greater risk of becoming binge drinkers in their late teens, reveals a new thesis from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.
TheMedGuru (Sweden) - Teenage girls outstrip boys on alcohol—study
An intriguing new study by European researchers has found that teen girls aged around 16 years are hitting the bottle more frequently than their male counterparts.
stv.tv (UK) - Health bodies slam "toothless" alcohol policy
Six prominent health organisations withdrew their support on Monday for a government initiative aimed at promoting responsible alcohol consumption, accusing ministers of not standing up to the drinks industry.
Reuters - Alcoholic drinks market booming in Muslim Gulf
Targeting observant Muslims with non-alcoholic drinks is also a key strategy albeit a tougher sell for companies whose names are synonymous with beer or hard liquor.
New York Times (USA) - F.T.C. to Take Another Look at Alcohol Ads
For the fourth time in 12 years, the Federal Trade Commission plans to study the effectiveness of the voluntary guidelines followed by most marketers of alcoholic beverages. The guidelines are intended primarily to reduce the exposure of advertising to those under the legal drinking age.
Times LIVE (South Africa) - State declares war on alcohol abuse
The government is waging war on the alarming increase in the abuse of alcohol and drugs, and has warned of stricter legislation - including raising the legal age for alcohol consumption from 18 to 21.
AFP (India) - 56 Indian airline pilots fail alcohol tests: govt
Fifty-six pilots working for Indian airlines have failed alcohol tests in the last two years, according to a list issued by the civil aviation ministry.
UPI.com (UK) - British plan food and alcohol labeling
Britons soon will be told the alcohol content of every drink and the calorie count of every meal under a sweeping health initiative.
Financial Times (Northern Ireland) - Belfast to set minimum alcohol price
Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive aims to become the first government in Europe to introduce minimum pricing for alcohol in a bid to tackle binge drinking and anti-social behaviour and cut the region’s health bill.
Financial Times (Scotland) - SNP hopes to revive plans on alcohol abuse
Plans to set a minimum price for alcohol will be revived if the Scottish National party retains power in May’s Holyrood election. The minority SNP government’s attempt to tackle alcohol abuse by setting a minimum price was rejected by opposition parties last year.
New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) - Cut-price alcohol claims rejected
Foodstuffs yesterday rejected accusations it was helping drive youth drinking by selling alcohol below cost. MPs are hearing submissions on the Government's Alcohol Law Reform Bill, which has taken aim at youth drinking.
Doctors Lounge - Preoperative Alcohol Use Tied to Arthroplasty Complications
Complications following total joint arthroplasty are significantly related to alcohol misuse in the year prior to surgery, according to a study published in the Feb. 16 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
ScienceBlog.com - Alcohol abuse history influences quality of life following liver transplant
A history of alcohol abuse significantly impacts quality of life for patients after liver transplant, according to researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.
Times of India - Women like to get drunk before sex
In the survey of 3000 women aged 18-50, almost half of those quizzed said they preferred sex while under the influence of alcohol because it helped them lose their inhibitions and be more adventurous.
TheMedGuru - Gastric bypass surgery may lead to alcohol abuse—study
A new study suggests patients should limit their alcohol intake after a gastric bypass operation because it significantly affects alcohol absorption,and may lead to alcohol abuse.
stv.tv (Scotland) - Alcohol abuse: More than 3000 children harmed in related incidents
Thousands of children had to be treated by paramedics following alcohol-related incidents over the past two years, figures revealed.
GhanaWeb (Ghana) - Ghanaians Drink Too Much
There is too much drinking going on in our culture. Our love for this stuff is so great that we have integrated it into almost all the key activities of our lives.
Mediapost (USA) - Alcohol Advertising and Young People: What is the Right Mix?
As part of the Walt Disney Co., the well-respected ESPN sales operation is no doubt religious in adhering to accepted practices when it comes to alcohol advertising and young people. But the sports network is in business. And it always seemed a bit curious to have Diageo plugging Smirnoff on its popular "Pardon the Interruption" at 5:30 in the afternoon.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Alcohol News 10/2011

University Post (Denmark) - Asians feel pressure to drink
For Asian students in Denmark, saying no to alcohol is not always easy. Refraining can lead to an ‘interrogation’, says Pakistani student. The Northern European culture of binge drinking can lead to uncomfortable situations for students from parts of the world where alcohol plays a smaller role in social events.
Helsinkin Sanomat (Finland) - Political gulf kills off legislative initiative on restrictions on alcohol advertising
Much as predicted, the Finnish government will not produce a legislative proposal to impose restrictions on image advertising of alcoholic beverages during the current term of office.
Denmark.dk (Denmark) - Sin tax gets strong public support
Higher fees on cigarettes, booze and junk food would lead to rise in smuggling and cross-border shopping. Duties on cigarettes, booze and unhealthy food are too low, say most Danes, according to Epinion/DR poll.
Yahoo! News (USA) - Law Would Lower Drinking Age on Military Bases
During a hearing among lawmakers this week with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Representative Jack Kingston (R) Georgia, brought up the topic of allowing 18-year-old service members to be allowed to drink on military bases.
BBC News (UK) - Supermarkets urged to keep alcohol separate
Alcohol should be kept away from food and soft drinks in supermarkets, according to a campaign group.
EmpowHer - Low to Moderate Alcohol Use Boosts Cancer Risk
Having a glass of wine might be good for your heart, but even low-to-moderate alcohol consumption could be raising your risk for several cancer types and other serious illness.
Montreal Gazette (Israel) - Vitamin A could curb fetal-alcohol effects: Israeli research
It's too early to call it a cure, but plain old vitamin A could curb the devastating effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. New research by an Israeli scientist suggests vitamin A could act almost like an antidote to the effects of alcohol on very early embryos during the critical development of the head and central nervous system. That's when the worst effects of FASD start.
Daily Mail - Binge-drinking is in the genes: Scientists isolate brain chemical that makes us crave alcohol
It has long been believed that alcoholism runs in the family - now scientists have pinpointed why. They have identified a binge-drinking gene, offering new hope in combating the growing social problem, it was revealed today.
UPI.com (Canada) - Neighborhood type affects male alcohol use
Men living in poorer areas tend to drink more alcohol than men living in affluence but women drink about the same in either location, a Canadian study suggests.
The Citizen Daily (Tanzania) - Govt launches drive against alcohol abuse
Tanzania yesterday launched a nationwide campaign to tackle excessive drinking.The government’s initiative against irresponsible drinking has the backing of local brewers and is supported by international organisations with the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid) being its major financier.
Malaysia Star (Malaysia) - Kelantan assembly: Storm brews over gambling and alcohol
State opposition leader Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad had a heated argument with State Local Government, Culture, Arts and Tourism committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan over alcohol and gambling.
The Guardian (UK) - There is no such thing as a safe level of alcohol consumption
Last week I attended a discussion group chaired by the Observer's health correspondent Denis Campbell where one of the other experts, a public health doctor, asserted that alcohol should be treated differently from tobacco (and by inference other drugs) because there is no safe dose of tobacco whereas alcohol is safe until a person's drinking gets to "unsafe" levels.
thenews.pl (Poland) - Alcohol to vanish from petrol stations?
In an effort to reduce the number of drink-driving incidents on Polish roads, a bill forbidding the sale of alcohol at petrol stations has been proposed by a senatorial group from across the political spectrum.
PhysOrg.com - Parents important for keeping adolescents off alcohol
Parents who are both present and engaged are the very best way of preventing teenagers from consuming large quantities of alcohol. Adolescents who smoke, stay out with their friends and have access to alcohol - from their parents, for example - when they are as young as 13 are at greater risk of becoming binge drinkers in their late teens, reveals a new thesis from Karolinska Institutet.
BusinessWings (UK) - Booze is favourite midweek hobby for UK workers
Research revealed a stressful day at work leaves the typical adult reaching into the fridge for a cold alcoholic beverage just an hour and 25 minutes after arriving home.
PR-USA.net (USA) - Study Finds Mandatory Alcohol Testing for Truck Drivers Has Paid Off
A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University found that mandatory alcohol testing of motor carrier drivers has resulted in a significant decrease in fatal crashes involving truck, bus and other commercial drivers and alcohol use. The study was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
TODAYonline (Singapore) - Early action against alcohol addiction
Viewing alcoholism as a simmering issue, some community groups are not waiting and are tackling the problem now. They are diagnosing patients with alcohol-related disorders, doubling meetings for alcoholics and calling for more attention to be devoted to fighting alcohol addiction here.