Alcohol News: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

Alcohol News - 9/2012

YLE News (Finland) - Justice Minister: Lower limits won't solve DUI problem

Justice Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson says that lowering the legal limit of blood levels of alcohol will not solve the drinking and driving problem. She argues that lower limits will not keep drunken drivers off the roads.

7thSpace Interactive (Estonia) - Alcohol and premature death in Estonian men: a study of forensic autopsies using novel biomarkers and proxy informants

Alcohol makes an important contribution to premature mortality in many countries in Eastern Europe, including Estonia. However, the full extent of its impact, and the mechanisms underlying it, are challenging issues to research.

Helsingin Sanomat (Finland) - National Police Commissioner and alcohol inspector would shorten Finland’s licensing hours

Some of the alcohol inspectors monitoring Finland’s restaurants and bars would gladly shorten the country’s licensing hours, a suggestion put forward by Minister of the Interior Päivi Räsänen (Christian Democrats) in Monday’s Finnish edition of Helsingin Sanomat.

Helsingin Sanomat (Finland) - Ministry planning coerced treatment for substance-abusing pregnant women

Women who abuse intoxicants while pregnant could soon face the possibility of being put into treatment against their will - possibly through the entire duration of their pregnancy.

IceNews (Sweden) - ‘Drunkoreoxia’ on the rise in Sweden

Young Swedes are increasingly starving themselves by day so they can binge drink by night, in a phenomenon dubbed “drunkorexia”, experts say.

IceNews (Iceland) - Three more controversial alcohol sale cases for Iceland state monopoly

Following last week’s mudslinging over the banning of Motörhead wine, Iceland’s state alcohol monopoly has been in the headlines again for making controversial decisions — not once, not twice, but three times.

Reuters - Alcohol problems not uncommon among surgeons: study

About 15 percent of surgeons have alcohol abuse or dependency problems, a rate that is somewhat higher than the general population, according to a U.S. study.

Washington Post - Alcohol in movies can nudge teens toward drinking

Want to keep your teen from becoming a drinker? Keep an eye on what movies she’s watching — and the clothes she’s wearing, too.

The Press Association (USA) - Youths 'underestimate alcohol unit'

Many young people underestimate how much alcohol they drink even if they have some knowledge of the Government's guidelines on sensible consumption, a study says.

HealthCanal.com (UK) - Alcohol abuse could kill around 210,000 people over the next 20 years, warns Southampton academic

A University of Southampton academic has warned the UK is on the ‘potential tipping point’ in the war against alcohol abuse and says failure to reform alcohol laws will result in 210,000 avoidable alcohol-related deaths over the next 20 years.

Canada.com (Canada) - Alcohol, drug abuse the dirty secret of returning Afghan veterans

Stuart Langridge was a poster boy for the Canadian military. The triathlete served in Bosnia and Afghanistan, where he won two commander's coins.

News-Medical.net (USA) - Underreporting of alcohol's role in crime and accidents decreases public support for liquor laws

Reading a newspaper article about the role alcohol played in an injury accident or violent crime makes people more supportive of enforcing alcohol laws, a new study suggests.

Wesleyan Argus (USA) - Changes in Alcohol Policies Spread Across New England

Over the past few years, it has become apparent to many college students that an increasing number of universities are tightening their substance policies and regulations, most often in an attempt to reduce the rising number of alcohol-related accidents. When comparing the regulations between Wesleyan University and its peer institutions, it becomes clear that there is no consensus how to deal with underage drinking.

Fox Business (France) - France says drivers must carry alcohol breath tests

Starting July 1, you'll have to carry a portable blood-alcohol test kit with you if you want to drive in France. You'll be fined 11 euros -- about $15 -- if you can't produce one when the gendarmes ask.

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - New guidelines could define one in 10 as having an alcohol disorder

"I'LL JUST have one after work." Those words, often a prelude to drinking more than intended, could contribute to nearly one in 10 people being diagnosed with alcohol use disorder under proposed changes to the condition.

Globe and Mail (UK) - Parliamentary bar brawl spotlights culture of drinking in Britain

Take nine bars, add 650 members of Parliament and an equal number of journalists, lobbyists and staff, multiply by a vast quantity of taxpayer-subsidized booze, and what do you get? One giant political hangover.

Ninemsn (Australia) - Reports on alcohol warnings ignored: FARE

An advocacy group concerned about dangerous drinking has criticised the federal government for not releasing two reports examining the impact of warning labels on the alcohol-consumption habits of pregnant women.

Alaska Native News (USA) - Senate Passes Bill Establishing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day

Today, the Alaska State Senate passedSenate Bill 127, which establishes September 9th each year as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day. FASD Awareness Day is recognized worldwide and raises awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy as well as the difficulties for individuals and families who struggle with FASD.

EurekAlert (Scotland) - England 'should look to the Scots' to solve alcohol problem, says Nottingham academic

England should look to Scotland to solve its drinking culture, which has seen having a pint of lager become as cheap and freely accessible as downing a pint of milk, an expert at The University of Nottingham has said.

AllAfrica.com (Angola) - Angola: Exaggerated Consumption of Alcohol Contributes to Social Identity Loss

The sociologist Memória Eculica said last Sunday, in this city, that the exaggerated consumption of alcoholic drinks has contributed to social identity loss of Angolan citizens, promoting delinquency, violence in homes and prostitution.

Huffington Post (USA) - Dealing With Alcoholism in America

Whitney Houston's death has reignited the conversation about the prevalence and dangers of substance abuse. In 2009, drugs and alcohol accounted for at least 60,684 deaths around the country -- one death every 9 minutes.

WalesOnline (Wales) - Action plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime

AN action plan to crack down on alcohol-fuelled violence, crime and anti-social behaviour in the Vale of Glamorgan has been put out for public consultation.

Czech Position (Czech Republic) - Survey shows Czech teens turn off dope and onto drink

The number of 16-year-old Czechs who have tried cannabis (marihuana) by that tender age has fallen, according to figures from a European survey — although the country is still among the leaders for youth familiarity with the soft drug.

Panorama (Gibraltar) - Under age drinking new concerns!

Over the past few months, but particularly since last Christmas quite a few people have contacted me or stopped me in the streets to voice again their concern regarding under age drinking, this as many people will know is a social issue that does go a way.

Documentary: Drunk Irish - A stereotype that is actually true

This RTE documentary explores the problems with alcohol amongst the people of the Republic of Ireland. The Irish people are known the world over as lazy drunks - but is it a nasty stereotype or factually correct?

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Alcohol industry is reaching for new markets

As the European market is decreasing big alcohol companies have already for some time looking for new markets from Asia. And what a big opportunities they find there. Unregulated markets, big populations.
Last week Bloomberg Businessweek wrote how Carlsberg, "the world’s fourth- biggest brewer, is seeking acquisition opportunities in Asia, including China, amid slowing growth in Europe."
First read the Bloomberg story and then look at that:

Monday, February 20, 2012

Alcohol News - 8/2012

Scientific American - Deadly Alcohol Needs Global Regulation, Health Expert Says

Existing WHO recommendations on ads, pricing and driving laws could serve as the framework for a new international convention on alcohol regulation, yet even the U.S. would struggle to meet some of them.

Helsinki Times (Finland) - Alcohol advertising ban under consideration

The Uutispäivä Demari, the official newspaper of the Social Democratic Party, reported today that the Minister of Health and Social Services Maria Guzenina-Richardson (Social Democrats) has put forward plans to restrict alcohol advertising.

The Baltic Course (Estonia) - Estonian police distributes 10,000 breathalyzers

Estonia's North Prefecture is handing out 10,000 single-use alcohol breathalyzers to drivers in a framework of roadside sobriety checks in Tallinn, the Estonian news portal ERR reports.

IceNews (Sweden) - Police struggle to stop teenage dial-a-drink service

Stockholm police have admitted they are making little progress in quelling the phenomenon known as “vodka-mobile”, which sees teens ordering alcohol deliveries via text message.

BBC News (UK) - 210,000 people face alcohol death risk, warn doctors

Failure to reform alcohol laws could lead to 210,000 preventable deaths in England and Wales in the next 20 years, doctors have warned.

The Guardian (UK) - David Cameron hints at minimum alcohol price

PM determined to deal with 'one of the scandals of our society', as figures show alcohol abuse is costing the NHS £2.7bn a year.

Fox News (USA) - One in 10 U.S. kids have alcoholic parent, study finds

More than one in 10 U.S. children live with an alcoholic parent and are at increased risk of developing a host of health problems of their own, according to a new government study released on Thursday.

Science Codex (Australia) - Comments by the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research

In 2008, the NHMRC commissioned the Dieticians Association of Australia to undertake systematic literature reviews to support the revision of the Dietary Guidelines for Australians. The primary aim was to undertake a series of systematic reviews of the national and international literature from the year 2002 on the food-diet-health-disease inter-relationship for different population subgroups. One of the 29 sections in the report (pp 613-678) covered the evidence for the risks and benefits of alcohol drinking. This critique is only of the alcohol section.

LiveScience.com - Deadly Alcohol Needs Global Regulation, Health Expert Says

When considering the world's worst killers, alcohol likely doesn't come to mind. Yet alcohol kills more than 2.5 million people annually, more than AIDS, malaria or tuberculosis.

Daily Mail - Drinking alcohol really does shrink the brain as grey matter seeks to protect itself against alcohol-induced damage

Brain scans of mice given significant quantities of alcohol has revealed serious shrinkage in some regions of the brain.

WalesOnline (Wales) - Report shows how interventions on tobacco and alcohol use ‘could save the NHS millions’

EXPERTS have advised the cash-strapped NHS to adopt a series of simple steps to improve patients’ health and save millions of pounds in treatment costs.

eMaxHealth - Strict parental drinking rules can restrain teen drinking

Some parents are of the opinion that allowing their teens to sip a small glass of wine with dinner or have a swallow or two of beer at a family barbecue will introduce them to responsible drinking.

BBC News (Wales) - Problem drinkers: Alcohol Concern Cymru call to remove stigma

People in Wales are being urged to be more honest about the role of alcohol in society, in an attempt to remove the stigma attached to drinking problems.

iAfrica.com (South Afica) - Motsoaledi targets alcohol ads

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is on a crusade and he expects to make no friends as he targets liquor advertising, tougher smoking laws and noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

New York Times (USA) - Drinking and Drugging

Remember that phrase? I heard many people repeat it last week as they appraised the waste of Whitney Houston’s later years and flashed back to her 2002 interview with Diane Sawyer, when she uttered those immortal words. She was bristling not at rumors that she abused drugs but at insinuations that she turned to cheap ones. With album sales like hers, you didn’t have to suck on a pipe.

Wall Street Journal (USA) - The (Partial) Cost of Underage Drinking

Six-packs of beer come cheap, but the cost of underage drinking can add up. An analysis by researchers at the Mayo Clinic estimates hospitalization charges alone for incidents related to underage drinking at $755 million in 2008.

This is South Wales (Wales) - 'Be honest, alcohol not someone else's problem'

PEOPLE in Wales need to be more honest about their relationship with alcohol, a leading charity has said. Alcohol Concern Cymru says it is easy to think that problems with alcohol are "someone else's problems" rather than something closer to home.

AFP (South Africa) - South Africa grapples with toll of heavy drinking

Tisha Lourens suffered brain damage when her mother drank during pregnancy. Now the slight teenager who was abandoned as a baby in a Cape Town hospital battles with learning problems.

Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - Sallies call for changes to way alcohol is sold

Kiwis knocked back an extra 20 million ready-to-drink alcoholic drinks in the past year, prompting calls for supermarkets and dairies to be banned from selling liquor after 10pm.

Czech Happenings (Czech Republic) - Czech teenagers increasingly drink alcohol - ESPAD study

The number of sixteen-year persons regularly drinking alcohol and getting drunk is on the rise in the Czech Republic, according to the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) for last year and unveiled today.

Bangkok Post (Thailand) - Social media 'push youth to alcohol'

Alcoholic beverage companies are using social media outlets to recruit young drinkers, in some cases using cartoon characters and stuffed toys to promote their products, researchers say.

The Voice of Russia (Russia) - Alcohol zero-tolerance policy for drivers questioned

Komsomolskaya Pravda reports that during the Monday session of Committee on Traffic Safety a proposal to abolish alcohol zero-tolerance policy for drivers was voiced.

The Oncology Report - Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Worsens Cancer Surgery Outcomes

Patients with head and neck cancers who develop alcohol withdrawal syndrome perioperatively experience significantly more complications after undergoing surgery, a large database analysis indicates.

BusinessWeek (Europe/Asia) - Carlsberg Looks for Acquisitions in Asia as Europe Stagnates

Carlsberg A/S, the world’s fourth- biggest brewer, is seeking acquisition opportunities in Asia, including China, amid slowing growth in Europe.

thejournal.ie (Ireland) - Four in ten parents ‘binge drink’ at least once a month

JUST OVER FOUR in ten parents ‘binge drink’ at least once a month – with the majority of those drinking most often at home, according to a new survey.

thenews.pl (Poland) - Health Ministry OKs controversial WHO alcohol proposals

Poland's Health Ministry has accepted a controversial raft of proposals from the World Health Organisation (WHO) designed to counter alcohol abuse in the EU.

FASD News - 7/2012

NEWS AND ARTICLES

The New Age Online (South Africa) - Foetal alcohol syndrome rate drops 30%

There’s been a dramatic drop of 30% in the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD) in the province since 2002, apparently as a result of successful prevention programmes by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research.

Nursing Review (Australia) - Push for national strategy for foetal alcohol disorder

A parliamentary inquiry is generating calls for FASD to be recognised as a disability. Parents, foster carers, nurses and other health workers who have experience with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders have been urged to tell their story to federal parliament.

Smithers Interior News (Canada) - Rural area great for hosting FASD conference
Renowned doctor and speaker Gabor Maté opened last week’s regional Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) conference in Smithers with a keynote address.

CTV Saskatoon (Canada) - Convention helps people learn to cope with FASD

A preventable disorder is still a concern in Saskatchewan. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder affects a person's ability to cope in life. Conventions, like the one held in Saskatoon this week, hope to give a better understanding of FASD, so those with it can lead a better life.

Voxy (New Zealand) - Scandalous perpetuation of brain damage to children

Alcohol Healthwatch launched an on-line resource today to assist health professionals talk to their pregnant patients about alcohol.

The Associated Press (USA) - Tribe suing beer companies for alcohol problems

An American Indian tribe sued some of the world's largest beer makers Thursday, claiming they knowingly contributed to devastating alcohol-related problems on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Telegraph.co.uk (South Africa) - South Africa considers law banning sale of alcohol to pregnant women

The move is designed to cut one of the world's highest rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which sees babies develop mental and physical defects in the womb due to a mother's heavy drinking.

New York Times (USA) - Dog is Only Cure for 13-Year-Old with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

In May 1999, Donnie Kanter Winokur, 43, a writer and multimedia producer, and her husband, Rabbi Harvey Winokur, 49, beheld the son of their dreams, the child infertility denied them. Andrey, a pale dark-eyed 1-year-old in a cotton onesie, held in a standing position by a caregiver, appeared in a short videotape recorded in a Russian orphanage. If the couple liked the little boy, they could begin the legal process of adopting him. They liked the little boy very much.

Vaada E-News (Australia) - Hansard: Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee - inquiry into the incidence and prevention of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Monday, 13 February 2012 House of Representatives - Committees - Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee - inquiry into the incidence and prevention of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

RESOURCES

AKOAOTEAROA - Pregnancy & Alcohol Cessation Toolkit

This resource aims to improve health professional’s consultation confidence and competence to optimise the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s practical guide on alcohol and pregnancy.

Information and ideas to help persons with FASDs live healthy and purposeful lives

Best I Can Be: Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Effects by Liz Kulp.

NIAAA - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

When pregnant women drink, they put their unborn babies at risk for a wide range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral problems. In fact, prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth defects in the United States.

Deborah Rutmans presentation at the FASD Support Network of Saskatchewan Conference „Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Here and Now“

RESEARCH

Alcoholism - Metabolic Biomarkers of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Neural Lineages

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability. The mechanisms underlying FASD are incompletely understood, and biomarkers to identify those at risk are lacking. Here, we perform metabolomic analysis of embryoid bodies and neural lineages derived from human embryonic stem (hES) cells to identify the neural secretome produced in response to ethanol (EtOH) exposure.

Alcoholism - Housing in Environmental Complexity Following Wheel Running Augments Survival of Newly Generated Hippocampal Neurons in a Rat Model of Binge Alcohol Exposure During the Third Trimester Equivalent

WR followed by EC could provide a behavioral model for developing interventions in humans to ameliorate hippocampal-dependent impairments associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research - FASD Learning Series webcast: „Cognitive Interventions to Improve Memory“

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012. 9-11 AM.

Nutrition Research Institute -Registration 2012 Frontiers in Nutrition Seminar Series

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 "The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)" Dr. Philip May.

The FASD Trust (UK) - Managing Difficult Behaviour in FASD Children in the Community

Friday, 24 February 2012 09:30 - 16:30 (GMT)

EUFASD - Second European Conference on FASD

The European FASD Alliance is pleased to announce the Second European Conference on FASD – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: clinical and biochemical diagnosis, screening and follow-up, which will take place in Barcelona, October 21 to 24, 2012.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES

Medical facts (Netherlands) - Joldersma: vaart maken met waarschuwingslogo alcohol

De minister van VWS moet zo snel mogelijk om tafel met de alcoholbranche om te praten over een waarschuwingslogo voor zwangere vrouwen op alcoholhoudende dranken. Dat bepleitte Cisca Joldersma tijdens een Algemeen Overleg over het alcoholbeleid. Onlangs gaf de minister in antwoord op schriftelijke vragen van Sabine Uitslag (CDA) aan dat ze wil proberen het logo via zelfregulering in te voeren.

From the first global alcohol policy conference in Bangkok

I´m sitting in the lobby of my hotel and waiting for the departure back to my cold homeland. I´ve been here the last four days with almost 1200 people from around 60 countries and the first global alcohol policy conference (GAPC) finished yesterday evening.
I had the pleasure to be one of the speakers here, introducing alcohol policy situation in my small homeland Estonia. Alcohol policy has made some great progress in last... 6 years or so. In 2006 the first European alcohol strategy was accepted. In 2010 WHO-s first global alcohol strategy followed. These are certainly important milestones. No doubt about it. But the conference here in Thailand raised an important and logical question: how to move from papers to action. This is coming from decades of experience. It is extremely important to have a grounding document, a strategy, but its just not enough. There are too many cases in national and international levels, where action is not following. For instance another Baltic state, Lithuania, accepted a national Health Program in 1999 and one of the goals was to cut the per capita alcohol consumption to 7 litres. Reality moved to the opposite direction so that in 2005 Lithuanians drank around 14 litres.
Estonia does´nt have a strategy and during its 21 years of independence it has´nt had a real alcohol strategy. There have been roundtables and working groups. We are working on a alcohol policy green book right now, but I cant help my pessimism about that. What does a good green book do for a government that just is not motivated to deal with this issue?
At least partly it looks like alcohol policy has a chance if different measures can be integrated into other policies. Estonia has raised alcohol excise taxes by 50% since 2005. And public health has´nt been the main reason behind that. Aspiring to become the next euro-zone member in 2011, the government needed extra revenue and alcohol taxes was a good chance to get that. And that is great. Alcohol policy was taken forward without public health reasoning. So what? Important that steps were made.
Of course its much more difficult with other important alcohol policy fields like marketing and availability. Without focusing to public health, things are not moving over there. And things just are not moving in that regard in Estonia.
So how to be able to "smuggle" these arguments into different policies?! Thats a challenge. And it might be dangerous only to focus on strategies. Strategy does´nt equal with action. But it of course helps.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Alcohol News - 7/2012

The Local (Sweden) - 'Vodka-mobile' selling booze to Swedish kids

Police in Stockholm are looking to beef up efforts to put the brakes on a “vodka-mobile” that delivers hard liquor to school children in the Swedish capital who place their orders via text message.

IceNews (Iceland) - No Motörhead wine for Icelanders, branding too negative

ÁTVR, Iceland’s public sector alcohol retail monopoly, has refused to sell a red wine marketed under the branding of British rock band Motörhead. The decision was taken because the name is apparently a nod to amphetamine abuse and because the band sings about war, unsafe sex and drugs.

The Local (Sweden) - 'Drunkorexia' on the rise in Sweden: report

An increasing number of young Swedes are starving themselves by day to be able to binge on calorie-rich alcoholic drinks by night, as a well known phenomenon in the US is becoming more common in Sweden, according to experts.

Baltic Review (Lithuania) - Opinion: Strange combination of alcohol and democracy in Lithuania

Several employees of a Lithuanian authority were caught partying wildly in a drunken state during working hours on Thursday. Lithuanian journalist reflects on the alcohol issues of his country’s bureaucrats in an article published on February 6.

Associated Press (UK) - London to test alcohol monitors for offenders

London will be the first city in England to test electronic monitoring to force persistent alcohol offenders to stop drinking, Mayor Boris Johnson said Friday.

CNN (Ukraine) - Most Ukraine cold deaths alcohol-related, minister says

Alcohol has been involved in most of the deaths blamed on the extreme cold in Ukraine, the country worst affected by the icy temperatures gripping eastern Europe, the country's emergencies minister said Wednesday.

Great Falls Tribune (USA) - Sioux tribe sues brewers, stores for alcohol woes

The Oglala Sioux Tribe is suing some of the world's largest beer brewers, saying they knowingly have contributed to devastating alcohol-related problems on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Asia News Network (Bhutan) - The money cost of alcohol abuse in Bhutan

About Nu 30 M(US$607,165) went into treating alcohol related diseases in 2010 a study by Bhutan's National Statistical Bureau's socio-economic research and analysis division (SERAD) estimates.

Press Association (Ireland) - Plan to ban alcohol sport sponsors

The Government is to consider stamping out alcohol sponsorship of sporting events and festivals to curb Ireland's drink culture.

Science Daily - After-School Program Can Reduce Alcohol Use Among Middle School Students, Study Finds

A voluntary substance prevention program held after school and presented by trained facilitators can help reduce alcohol use among young adolescents, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

Maneater (USA) - New government study says alcohol abuse is higher among college students

According to the Chicago Tribune, a national study found United States college students abuse alcohol more than other drugs such as heroin, cocaine or methamphetamines compared to their non-student peers.

BBC News (Wales) - Nurse advice cuts binge drinking in Cardiff University project

Nurses will be trained to help patients with alcohol problems across Wales after a pilot project led to about a quarter of people cutting drinking.

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Time for govt to focus on alcohol: AMA

The Gillard government is being urged to crack down on junk food and alcohol advertising now that it has taken on big tobacco by legislating for plain packaging of cigarettes.

News-Medical-Net (Spain) - Most young Spaniards do not consume alcohol or illegal drug

Despite the clich-s surrounding the habits of adolescents, the results of a study by the University of Seville show that most young people do not fit the risk profile of taking substances.

PRWeb - Global Market for Beer to Reach 191.8 Million Kiloliters by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global outlook on the Beer Industry. Growth in the world market for beer in the upcoming years will be driven by strong gains in developing countries in Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East.

Daily Telegraph (South Africa) - South Africa considers law banning sale of alcohol to pregnant women

The move is designed to cut one of the world's highest rates of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which sees babies develop mental and physical defects in the womb due to a mother's heavy drinking.

FASD News - 5/2012

USA TODAY - Study: No alcohol intake safe during pregnancy

It's known that drinking during pregnancy leaves babies vulnerable to a spectrum of abnormalities called fetal alcohol syndrome. Now, a new study pinpoints the latter half of the first trimester as a critical time in the development of some of the syndrome's most telling physical characteristics.

Primedia Broadcasting - Eyewitness News (South Africa) - 0% alcohol is best for pregnancy - WHO

A Worcester-based alcohol syndrome organisation on Friday urged pregnant women not to drink any alcohol as doing so may cause brain damage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) pin-pointed the Western Cape as having the highest number of children who have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the world.

CBS Local - New Study Reveals More Problems With Drinking During Pregnancy

A new study released this week reveals the hidden dangers of women who drink alcohol while pregnant.

MyNorthwest.com - Colton Harris-Moore's attorney says emails are examples of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome behavior

After emails and phone calls from Colton Harris-Moore, also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," ridiculing police were released, his attorney John Henry Browne responded saying this is a classic example of behavior seen in people diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Elliot Lake Standard (Canada) - Solutions exist for fetal alcohol related crimes: lawyer

More grandmothers are needed in the lives of those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, says lawyer and advocate David Boulding.

WA today (Australia) - Pregnant women 'ignoring alcohol warnings'

Women are continuing to place their unborn children at risk by drinking while pregnant, health experts have told a federal parliamentary inquiry.

The North West Star (Australia) - Don't poison your baby, don't drink

MOUNT Isa is the perfect environment for a health disorder that condemns children to a life of misery and often jail, but which is 100 per cent preventable.

Wall Street Journal - Stricter Thinking on Alcohol During Pregnancy

In the sixth to 12th week of pregnancy, a fetus's bones, brain and central nervous system are forming. Buds blossom into arms and legs, and internal organs start to function. A face with eyelids, lips and other features appears.

MATERIALS

Fetal Alcohol Forum – Issue 6 December 2011

NOFAS-UK have published Issue 6, 2011 of their newsletter.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) in the United States has recently released a 6-page summary called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. It summarizes the latest research on the full spectrum of alcohol-related developmental disorders, new diagnostic tools that can detect these disorders, and promising interventions and treatment options.

Pregnancy and Alcohol Brochure for Aboriginal Families

Best Start Resource Centre in Ontario has released a new brochure for Aboriginal women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and their families on pregnancy and alcohol.

COMING UP

Managing Difficult Behaviour in FASD Children in the Community

IN OTHER LANGUAGES

Food Holland (Netherlands) - Schippers voor zelfregulering logo alcohol en zwangerschap op fles

Minister Schippers van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (VWS) gaat inventariseren of het mogelijk is een logo alcohol en zwangerschap op flessen alcoholische dranken via zelfregulering in te voeren. Schippers antweoord dat op vragen vanuit de Tweede Kamer.

Alcohol News - 6/2012

PubMed (Finland) - Mortality in people with depressive, anxiety and alcohol use disorders in Finland

Individuals with depressive and alcohol use disorders have an increased mortality risk comparable with many chronic somatic conditions, that is only partly attributable to differences in sociodemographic, somatic health status and hazardous health behaviour.

The Foreigner (Norway) - Norway dairy goes alcoholic

Farmers’ dairy cooperative TINE may be complementing its butter-based products (eventually) and dispensing French red wine into cartons.

Alcohol Help (Denmark) - First fine ever for targeting alcohol marketing at minors

Lately a ruling in Denmark – the first of its kind – provides that alcohol has no place in advertising targeted minors. The ruling is a victory for the Consumer Ombudsman, as well as for Alcohol and Society (former Danish Alcohol Policy Network) being the fruit of several complaints throughout the years.

www.eurekalert.org (Denmark) - The effect of occasional binge drinking on heart disease and mortality among moderate drinkers

Most studies have found that binge drinking is associated with a loss of alcohol's protective effect against ischemic heart disease (IHD) and most studies have found an increase of coronary risk among binge drinkers.

alcoholsubstanceabuse (Denmark) - Danes Developing Pill to Cure Alcoholism

Researchers in Denmark are testing a pill among alcoholics that reduces their alcohol consumption by more than 50% if they take it over a 12-month period.

The Guardian - Two glasses of wine a day 'triples mouth cancer risk'

Regularly drinking two large glasses of wine or two strong pints of beer a day triples the risk of developing mouth cancer, a government campaign will warn.

The Press Association (Scotland) - App to show alcohol's ageing effect

A phone app which illustrates the impact alcohol has on personal appearance aims to "shock people into drinking just a little bit less", its creator has said.

Mirror.co.uk (UK) - Alcohol death toll equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing every 17 days, British Liver Trust reveals

The number of Brits being killed by drinking is equivalent to a major plane crash every 17 days, a charity revealed yesterday. It says there were 8,664 alcohol-related deaths in 2009, more than double the 4,023 during 1992.

Doctors Lounge - High Alcohol Intake, Family History Impact Colon CA Risk

Individuals who consume 30 g alcohol or more per day have a significantly elevated risk of colon cancer, especially those with a family history of colorectal cancer, according to a study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Irish Examiner (Ireland) - Public health not a luxury, says alcohol group

Government ministers raising objections to plans to scrap alcohol sponsorship for sports and arts events have been told by Alcohol Action Ireland: "Public health is not a luxury."

Irish Times (Ireland) - Average alcohol consumption falling, says report

THE AVERAGE alcohol consumption per person fell in the last decade to 12 litres per year – 17 per cent below the 2001 peak, according to an industry report.

OnMedica (Scotland) - Study backs discount ban on alcohol

A minimum pricing policy combined with an off-licence discount ban would significantly reduce alcohol-related harm. These are the conclusions from the University of Sheffield, which worked on an updated report commissioned by the Scottish Government to examine whether a restricted pricing policy would make a real difference.

Toronto Sun - Health benefits of alcohol still uncertain

While a moderate amount of alcohol may be beneficial for the heart, those benefits may be cancelled out by an elevated risk for other diseases.

HRmagazine.co.uk (UK) - Alcohol charity urges Government to act on workplace drinking

Alcohol Concern has written to Vince Cable, secretary of state for Business, Innovation and Skills, to call for greater focus on alcohol issues in the workplace, which have a major negative impact on productivity.

Yorkshire Post (UK) - Street alcohol ban a success in area blighted by drunken yobs

A BAN on street drinking in an area once plagued by alcohol-fuelled yobs has been hailed as a success, after bringing about a “significant” reduction in crime.

Renal and Urology News - Prostate Cancer Linked to Heavy Alcohol Intake

Heavy ethanol intake is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer (PCa) among low-risk men with at least one prior negative prostate biopsy, investigators reported here at the annual Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. It also is associated with an elevated risk for high-grade PCa.