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Thursday, April 30, 2020

Alcohol News - 17/2020


Okcfox (Belgium) – Alcohol consumption slightly down under Belgian lockdown
A university research survey has found that alcohol consumption in Belgium is remaining mostly stable during the country's coronavirus lockdown, with only one out of four respondents saying they are drinking more while confined at home.
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swissinfo.ch (Switzerland) - Medical staff, poor and unemployed at higher risk of alcohol abuse
The non-governmental organisation Addiction Switzerland has warned that stress and lack of a structured routine during the coronavirus pandemic can lead to overconsumption of alcohol.
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The Local Italy (Italy) - Drinking alcohol won't boost coronavirus immunity, Italians warned
Italian health officials reminded the public on Thursday that consuming alcoholic drinks will not increase immunity to Covid-19.
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Aljazeera.com (Iran) - Iran: Over 700 dead after drinking alcohol to cure coronavirus
More than 700 people have died in Iran after ingesting toxic methanol, erroneously thinking it can cure the new coronavirus.
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The Moscow Times (Russia) - In Russia Virus Lockdown, Fears of a Return to the Bottle
Stuck in cramped flats and struggling with fears of the coronavirus and its economic impact, many Russians are worried about the return of an old demon.
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BusinessTech (South Africa) - No alcohol or cigarettes to be sold under South Africa’s new Level 4 lockdown
Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has confirmed that South Africans will not be allowed to purchase alcohol or cigarettes under the country’s new Level 4 restrictions.
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ThePrint (India) - Modi govt could revisit order banning alcohol sale after pressure from states
Punjab has officially asked for permission to sell alcohol, while other states have raised the issue informally. But the central govt has held firm so far.
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Mirage News (Australia) - Violent assaults reducing in Northern Territory thanks to minimum alcohol price
Surgeons have welcomed an Independent Review of the Northern Territorys minimum unit price (MUP) on alcohol, which has highlighted a reduction in violent crimes and assaults since the policy was introduced.
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BBC News (UK) - Coronavirus: Alcohol fears amid lockdown boredom
People could develop long-term heavy drinking habits as a result of self-isolating at home, a charity fears.
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RTE.ie (Ireland) - Big jump in alcohol sales recorded over Easter
Sales of alcohol in off-licences and supermarkets in Ireland jumped by 44% over the Easter period according to new data from Nielsen.
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The Independent (UK) - Once again, the government is putting the alcohol industry’s health before ours
It is not surprising to hear that sales of alcohol are rising during this Covid-19 pandemic. Retail sales data for the United Kingdom reported an additional £104m was spent in the last week of March, which is when lockdown measures were introduced, compared to the week before.
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PBS NewsHour - Why COVID-19 can be ‘toxic’ for people in alcohol recovery
For millions of people in recovery or looking for help for alcohol use, in-person group meetings can be a source of relief. But social distancing measures that were put in place to help curb the coronavirus have disrupted the support networks people rely upon for help.
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Bangkok Post (Thailand) - Alcohol ban extension suggested
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday suggested that the alcohol sales ban be renewed starting from May 3.
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Radio Prague (Czech Republic) - DROP IN SPIRIT SALES SUGGESTS CZECHS MIGHT NOT BE EUROPE’S LEADING ALCOHOL CONSUMERS
The Czech Republic has been for years considered one of Europe’s leading countries in terms of alcohol consumption per capita. But recent data on the sales of spirits in the country suggest Czechs might not be such heavy drinkers after all.
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Alcohol Health Alliance (UK) - When I said enough is enough: reducing alcohol related harm in older people
As a career old age psychiatrist, I had no training in addictions psychiatry, other than a vague recollection of some of the problems needed for me to make a diagnosis of alcohol dependence.
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DrinkTank (Australia) - Keep calm and carry on drinking: alcohol industry’s message during COVID-19
Aotearoa New Zealand has been recognised internationally for its effective public communication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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STAP (Netherlands) - Alcohol policy measures can contribute to controlling healthcare costs
Last week, Minister of Finance Wopke Hoekstra sent 16 Broad Social Review reports to the House of Representatives. These advisory reports from top officials are prepared for the next cabinet formation in 2021. The report on controlling healthcare costs lists 40 policy options and many preventive measures, including 5 alcohol policy.
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Cancer Health - Report Offers Insights on Cancer Death Rates and Importance of Prevention
A companion paper, Healthy People 2020, measuring Americans’ progress on national health goals shows that adults have not met targets to improve key lifestyle factors linked to cancer risk, including drinking too much alcohol, obesity prevalence and smoking.
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Friday, April 24, 2020

Alcohol News - 16/2020


Denverite (USA) - Denver’s banning booze in parks until July 23
It’s come to this: Denver is banning alcohol from parks from April 24 through July 23, 2020 to keep people from getting too touchy-feely and thereby possibly more exposed to COVID-19.
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Newshub (New Zealand) - Coronavirus: Hotel limits amount of alcohol quarantine guests can have after Ministry of Health suggestion
The Ministry of Health has recommended hotels acting as managed isolation facilities limit the amount of alcohol that can be brought onto their premises.
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The Local Italy (Italy) - Drinking alcohol won't boost coronavirus immunity, Italians warned
Italy's Higher Health Institute (ISS) published a report this week debunking false claims that consuming wine, beer and spirits could protect people from the viral disease.
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PBS NewsHour - Why COVID-19 can be ‘toxic’ for people in alcohol recovery
For millions of people in recovery or looking for help for alcohol use, in-person group meetings can be a source of relief. But social distancing measures that were put in place to help curb the coronavirus have disrupted the support networks people rely upon for help.
Read more
The Conversation UK (UK) - How the coronavirus is putting our relationship with alcohol to the test
It is not surprising to hear that sales of alcohol are rising during this COVID-19 pandemic. Retail sales data for the United Kingdom reported an additional £104 million was spent in the last week of March, which is when lockdown measures were introduced, compared to the week before. Lager is where the greatest spend was found, although sales of rum rose by 92.4%.
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Yahoo News - Alcohol ‘fuelling rise in violence' in over-50s, study suggests
The number of people in their 50s and 60s requiring emergency hospital treatment for assault has reached its highest level in nine years, research shows.
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Offaly Express (Ireland) - REVEALED: Irish people spent an obscene amount on alcohol in lead-up to Easter
Irish shoppers spent €371m on groceries during the week ending April 12, 2020, the highest sales week of the year so far, and an increase of 14% compared to the same week ending on Easter Sunday in 2019, reveals new data released today by Nielsen.
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The Slovak Spectator (Slovakia) - Alcohol consumption is on the rise
The average Slovak drinks about 12 litres of alcohol every year. The Eurostat data show people in Slovakia spend 2.5 percent of their overall monthly expenses on alcohol, noted Slovenská Sporiteľňa bank analyst Lenka Buchláková.
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The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Boost to drug and alcohol service funding during COVID-19 pandemic
The federal government has boosted funding for online drug and alcohol services as the sector prepares for a sharp increase in people seeking help to manage their drug or alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Telegraph.co.uk - Drinking alcohol in pregnancy is linked to depression in teenagers, study suggests
Children born to mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy are up to 17 per cent more likely to develop depression once they reach adulthood, a University of Bristol study has found.
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Bangkok Post (Thailand) - Bangkok alcohol ban extended to end of April
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has extended the ban on sales of alcoholic beverages until the end of the month, with the capital still the leading hotspot for coronavirus infections.
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HeraldLIVE (South Africa) - How the lockdown alcohol ban has improved road safety
For some South Africans, one of the contentious regulations during lockdown has been the ban on alcohol sales. Following the extension of the lockdown, many were hoping this ban would be relaxed but they were disappointed on April 16 when this was firmly denied.
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Harvard Health - Reducing alcohol intake lowers risk of irregular heartbeats
Moderate and heavy drinkers with atrial fibrillation (afib), a quivering or irregular heartbeat, can reduce their episodes by cutting out most alcohol, says a study published Jan. 2, 2020, in The New England Journal of Medicine.
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Euro Weekly News (Spain) - Experts in Spain Worry About Shockingly High Levels of Alcohol Consumption During Coronavirus Lockdown
DURING the third week of lockdown, alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer and spirits increased by 50 per cent.
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Sunday, April 19, 2020

FASD News - 15/2020


University of Rochester - First mobile app for caregivers of children with FASD reaches trial stage
In the summer of 2017, Christie Petrenko, an assistant professor and research associate at the University of Rochester’s Mt. Hope Family Center, and Cristiano Tapparello, a research assistant professor in the University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, teamed up to create the first mobile phone app for caregivers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
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Todayville.com (Canada) - #RedDeerStrong – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network. Another not-for-profit battling through the COVID / Energy Crisis
The Central Alberta FASD Network is a non-profit organization offering community-based, cost-free services to persons living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) across the lifespan, and their caregivers.
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Holyrood (Scotland) - Sex, alcohol and the COVID-19 pandemic
An unexpected topic was raised at a late March coronavirus press conference. A journalist asked about the Scottish Government’s advice on becoming pregnant during this pandemic, since it ‘could last a very long time  . . . and people will be staying home with not a lot to do’.
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Understood - The Difference Between Tantrums and Meltdowns
Many people think the words tantrum and meltdown mean the same thing. And they can look very similar when you see a child in the middle of having one.
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CanFASD (Canada) - Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network and the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health are committed to supporting Canadians, our stakeholders, and public health efforts by providing reliable information to support sound decision making related to alcohol use in the context of the current COVID19 pandemic.
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Pregnancy Ready - How to Prevent and Overcome Prenatal Alcohol and Drug Direct Exposure
Alcohol and drug abuse is one among the significant challenges of an anticipating mother. This normally has a lot of unfavorable effects on the fetus during birth and can cause other bigger problems in life.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
NWL&MHC - FASD & Justice: Engender Hope & Deliver Promise Learning Objectives
Suzie Kuerschner, M.Ed is a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder consultant, a child development specialist, and a child and family program developer with intensive training and experience.
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CANFASD - FASD IN CANADIAN NEWS
People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can have difficult and stigmatizing experiences throughout their lives, as can women who drink alcohol while pregnant.
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Rural FASD Support Network - Sensory Integration and Mental Health
Ella Haley, Psychotherapist for Open Doors Children's Mental Health shares how sensory integration is connected to mental health.
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RESEARCH
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in a Rocky Mountain Region City: Child Characteristics, Maternal Risk Traits, and Prevalence
This site had the second highest prevalence of FASD of the 4 Collaboration on FASD Prevalence sites and clearly identifiable child and maternal risk traits.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in a Midwestern City: Child Characteristics, Maternal Risk Traits, and Prevalence
This city displayed the lowest prevalence of FASD of the 4 CoFASP sites. Nevertheless, FASD were common, and affected children demonstrated a common, recognizable, and measurable array of traits.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in a Southeastern County of the United States: Child Characteristics and Maternal Risk Traits
This site had the second lowest rate in the CoFASP study, yet children with FASD are prevalent.
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europepmc.org - The Cost-effectiveness of screening tools used in the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A modeled analysis
Findings suggest that screening is associated with less use of healthcare recourses but also fewer years of life with an FASD diagnosis over a no screening strategy.
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Behavioral and Neural Genetics of Zebrafish - Chapter 21 - Behavioral genetics of embryonic ethanol exposure in zebrafish: a model for FASD
The purpose of this review is to summarize current knowledge about and methods employed for the modeling and analysis of FASD in zebrafish.
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JMIR mHealth and uHealth - A Mobile Health Intervention for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (Families Moving Forward Connect): Development and Qualitative Evaluation of Design and Functionalities
FMF Connect is a promising novel intervention with potential to reach many families in need and reduce significant barriers to care, resulting in a broader public health impact.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - A Systematic Review of the Effects of Perinatal Alcohol Exposure and Perinatal Marijuana Exposure on Adult Neurogenesis in the Dentate Gyrus
Perinatal alcohol exposure and perinatal marijuana exposure both act on inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampal formation of adult rats.
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Neuroscience - Single-day Postnatal Alcohol Exposure Induces Apoptotic Cell Death and Causes long-term Neuron Loss in Rodent Thalamic Nucleus Reuniens
Both procedural controls and alcohol exposed animals displayed a deficit in non-neuronal cell number relative to typically-developing controls, suggesting that Re cell populations may be vulnerable to early life stress as well as AE in an insult- and cell type-dependent manner.
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Journal of the American College of Nutrition - Altered Maternal Plasma Fatty Acid Composition by Alcohol Consumption and Smoking during Pregnancy and Associations with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Alterations in fatty acid profiles were observed in moderate to heavy alcohol-consuming mothers with infants classified with FASD compared to alcohol-exposed normally developing infants or controls.
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Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy - Alcohol consumption and its associated factors among pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis' as given in the submission system
The result showed that there was high alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Sub- Saharan Africa. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy was associated with depression, partners’ alcohol use, unplanned pregnancy and knowledge of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.
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NeuroToxicology - Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on acoustic characteristics of play fighting-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in juvenile rats
Altogether, we conclude that prenatal exposure to ethanol enhances negative emotionality such as anxiety and, accordingly, 20–35 kHz USVs reflecting negative emotionality are produced with a marked decrease in play fighting, suggesting difficulties in social interactions with conspecifics.
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Acta Paediatrica - The present and historical prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in children living in wine producing communities
In 1968 the French physician Paul Lemoine published a study on 127 children with alcoholic parents (1). They showed facial alterations, such as small palpebral fissures, a low nasal bridge, a smooth philtrum and a small upper lip, together with several psychomotor problems.
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Social Work - "I drank because i wanted to deal with the frustration": explaining alcohol consumption during pregnancy in a low-resource setting - women's, partners and family members' narratives
Understanding the explanatory narratives that women, partners and family members provide for consuming alcohol during pregnancy is essential in interventions. This paper reports on the stories of 25 participants in a low-resource area.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - A Systematic Review of the Effects of Perinatal Alcohol Exposure and Perinatal Marijuana Exposure on Adult Neurogenesis in the Dentate Gyrus
Perinatal alcohol exposure and perinatal marijuana exposure both act on inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampal formation of adult rats.
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Clinica Chimica Acta - CDT reference values for monitoring chronic alcohol abuse in pregnancy
In order to prevent the development of maternal and fetal prenatal alcohol exposure complications, the use of alcohol biomarkers, including CDT, has been proposed.
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Brain Structure and Function - Altered brain white matter connectome in children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure
This study demonstrates decreased structural white matter connectivity in children and adolescents with PAE at a whole-brain level, suggesting widespread alterations in how networks are connected with each other.
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Europe PMC - The Prevalence And Associated Factors Of Alcohol Use Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care At Public Hospitals Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019
This study observed that no formal education, pre-pregnancy alcohol use, partner alcohol use, and poor social support, were statistically significant with alcohol use during pregnancy. Based on the findings of this study early management of alcohol use and problematic alcohol use is needed for pregnant women.
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Nature Reviews Neuroscience - Channel problems
Fetal alcohol exposure can result in life-long cognitive deficiencies. However, the molecular bases of the effects of alcohol on the developing brain have not been clear.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Gazeta.pl (Poland) - "Przecież ma pan dwóch adoptowanych synów, więc powinien pan słyszeć o FAS"
Lubimy myśleć, że dzieci z FAS to patologia. A tak naprawdę każda kobieta może urodzić dziecko z Płodowym Zespołem Alkoholowym - wystarczy, że nieświadoma bycia w pierwszych tygodniach ciąży wypije kilka drinków.
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tekk.tv (Germany) - Erste mobile App für Betreuer von Kindern mit FASD erreicht Versuchsstadium.
Im Sommer 2017 schlossen sich Christie Petrenko, Assistenzprofessorin und wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Mt.
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St. Elisabeth Verein Marburg (Germany) - Kinder mit FASD in PflegefamilienRead more

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Alcohol News - 15/2020


The Guardian (UK) - One in three drinking less in lockdown, UK survey finds
The coronavirus lockdown is transforming Britons’ relationship with alcohol, as research reveals that some have increased their consumption, but an even larger number are drinking less or have stopped entirely.
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CNBC - Drinking alcohol can make the coronavirus worse, the WHO says in recommending restricting access
Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of catching Covid-19 and make it worse if you do get it, the World Health Organization said, recommending that government leaders around the world limit access to alcohol during coronavirus lockdowns.
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Vox (USA) - This is how America drinks now
It’s 9:30 in the morning and Ina Garten is emptying a bottle of Grey Goose into a giant cocktail pitcher. “Just what everybody needs, right?” she asks her audience on Instagram, where she has posted a video of herself preparing a Cosmopolitan for breakfast.
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ERR News (Estonia) - Tartu to ban alcohol consumption in Pirogov Park during emergency situation
The city of Tartu wants to ban alcohol consumption in Pirogov Park until the end of the emergency situation. Based on public interest, the city government plans to introduce the right to ban the activity in the symbolic place for students at other times.
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World Health Organization - Alcohol does not protect against COVID-19; access should be restricted during lockdown
Alcohol is known to be harmful to health in general, and is well understood to increase the risk of injury and violence, including intimate partner violence, and can cause alcohol poisoning.
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The New York Times (Russia) - In Pandemic’s Grip, Russia Sees Spike in Age-Old Bane: Drinking
The widespread, false belief that alcohol will protect drinkers from the coronavirus is helping drive an increase in liquor sales and domestic violence.
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Essex Live (UK) - The people who may be more prone to alcohol addiction during social distancing
Social distancing could lead to a surge in harmful drinking, a charity has warned. The necessary social distancing measures in place to slow down the spread of coronavirus mean many people are staying at home and becoming more socially isolated.
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bnn-news.com (Latvia) - Latvian government supports proposal to permit online alcohol trade
Amendments to the law are intended to permit retail sale of alcoholic beverages over the internet, preserving all the existing restrictions on handling of alcoholic beverages. Amendments were developed by Economy Ministry following the request of Saeima’s National Economy Committee. The parliament needs to decide on approval of amendments.
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HeraldLIVE (South Africa) - Amanda Black: Alcohol is not essential
Singer Amanda Black has made it clear she is against the calls to have the ban on alcohol lifted during the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19.
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Ottawa Sun (Canada) - Canadians' alcohol consumption increases during pandemic, poll shows
The “quarantini,” a portmanteau drawn from the words “quarantine” and “martini,” is more than just a bit of idle cleverness resulting from having too much time on our hands during the COVID-19 crisis.
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Alcohol Justice (USA) - COVID-19 Alcohol Regulatory Relief Questioned
Alcohol Justice made public today an open letter to Jacob Appelsmith, Director of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The letter outlines eleven serious concerns associated with the agency's two recent "regulatory relief" actions that clearly place alcohol industry profits above public health and safety concerns.
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YLE News (Finland) - Poll: Alcohol consumption in Finland remains steady despite pandemic
Social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines have not significantly affected alcohol consumption in Finland, according to a new survey by pollster Taloustutkimus for Yle.
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NL Times (Sint Maarten) - SINT MAARTEN BANS ALCOHOL SALES IN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The government of Sint Maarten temporarily banned the sale and purchase of alcohol while the island is in lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. This measure follows reports that incidents of domestic violence on the island was increasing under lockdown, local newspaper The Daily Herald reports.
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Washington Examiner (USA) - Surgeon general tells Americans to 'avoid alcohol' during coronavirus pandemic
The U.S. surgeon general encouraged the public to pursue sobriety during the coronavirus pandemic.
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YLE News (Finland) - Bunkered-down Finns bought more booze last month
As the novel coronavirus spread across the country in March and Finnish consumers hoarded groceries and isolated themselves at home, they also bought more alcohol, according to sales figures from state booze monopoly Alko.
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The Phuket News (Thailand) - Phuket Governor bans sale of alcohol ‘until further notice’
Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has ordered a ban on the sale of alcohol in Phuket. The order comes into effect at 00:01am April 11 and will remain in effect until further notice.
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Newswise - Large Study Highlights Impact of Drinking in Pregnancy in Four US Communities
The consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure have been highlighted by three new reports on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in a virtual issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.
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Thursday, April 9, 2020

Alcohol News - 14/2020


DW (Germany) - Germans still to drink too much alcohol, study finds
Germans continue to drink a bathtub's worth of beer, wine and spirits per year, according to a new study on addiction. They also smoked nearly 75 billion cigarettes.
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The Guardian (Australia) - Drinking in coronavirus isolation: experts warn Australians to monitor their Intake
As Australia went into Covid-19 lockdown, alcohol sales increased. It’s tempting to drink in times of stress, but habits picked up now could be difficult to break.
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Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - Coronavirus: Online alcohol sales soar during the Covid-19 lockdown
The demand for alcohol - beer, wine and spirits - appears to have skyrocketed during the coronavirus lockdown.
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New York Post (Iran) - Hundreds dead in Iran after drinking pure alcohol as coronavirus ‘cure’
The death toll from Iranians guzzling pure alcohol in the crazy misbelief that it can cure the coronavirus has reached about 600 — with thousands more hospitalized, according to reports on Wednesday.
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BreakingNews.ie (Ireland) - 'More proactive' HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline sees 29% rise in contacts
The number of calls and emails to the HSE’s Drug and Alcohol Helpline increased by more than 29% last year.
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wtvr.com (USA) - Half of Virginians admit to drinking alcohol while working from home
Half of Virginians admit to having a drink while working from home during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Anadolu Agency (South Africa) - Alcohol ban decreases crime rate in South Africa
The imposition of ban on alcohol as part of lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus since March 27 has significantly decreased crime rate in South Africa, according to the Zimeye, an online publication quoting Minister of Police Gen. Bheki Cele.
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The BMJ - Ian Hamilton: Is alcohol really “essential” during covid-19?
With the UK seeing a surge in alcohol sales over the past few weeks, now would be a good time to emphasise public health advice on alcohol, argues Ian Hamilton.
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MarketWatch (USA) - U.S. online alcohol sales jump 243% during coronavirus pandemic
Spirits like tequila, gin and pre-mixed cocktails led the way, with sales jumping 75% compared to the same period last year. Wine sales were up 66% while beer sales rose 42%. And online sales far outpaced in-store sales.
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Expats.cz (Czech Republic) - Alcohol sales in the Czech Republic rose 30% in the second week of March
Alcohol sales remain higher than average in the Czech Republic, even after coronavirus panic buying has calmed down.
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PsychCentral.com - Do Health Warning Labels on Alcohol and Snacks Limit Consumption?
Image-and-text health warning labels (HWLs), similar to those on cigarette boxes, show potential for reducing the consumption of alcoholic drinks and high-calorie snacks, according to a new study published in the open access journal BMC Public Health.
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Mirror.co.uk (UK) - Brits 'putting themselves at greater risk from coronavirus' by drinking alcohol
Brits are putting themselves at greater risk from coronavirus by drinking alcohol, health chiefs say.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged people to stay away from booze and tobacco while in self-isolation.
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Reykjavík Grapevine (Iceland) - Alcohol Sales On The Rise In Iceland As COVID-19 Outbreak Worsens
Many Icelanders are turning to an age-old solution in these anxiety-inducing times: alcohol. But as COVID-19 has tightened its grip on Iceland, noisy crowds gathered outside downtown bars have been replaced with solemn two-metre-spaced queues outside Vínbúðin stores.
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CapeTalk (South Africa) - 'In South Africa we have almost adopted alcohol as a family member'
As people run out of alcohol during lockdown, it may highlight issue of alcohol use dependence, explains recovery director.
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Eyewitness News (Zimbabwe) - ZIMBABWE BANS SALE OF ALCOHOL AT SUPERMARKETS, LIQUOR STORES
The measure is designed to stop people congregating and drinking together during the 21-day lockdown that began on Monday to combat the spread of COVID-19.
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Bloomberg (Thailand) - Bangkok Bans Alcohol in Effort to Contain Coronavirus Outbreak
Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, banned alcohol sales for a week and a half to help prevent social gatherings that could spread the virus that causes Covid-19.
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The Conversation (USA) - America is drinking its way through the coronavirus crisis – that means more health woes ahead
In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, it has become easier to buy alcohol than toilet paper or eggs.
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TASS (Russia) - Spending on alcohol in Russia grows for second consecutive week, reports Sberbank
April 5, spending on goods and services in Russia fell by 22.9% compared with the previous week, however increased demand is for food, medicine and alcohol persists, according to a report from Sberbank.
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PLOS ONE (Netherlands) - Physicians’ norms and attitudes towards substance use in colleague physicians: A cross-sectional survey in the Netherlands
97% of Dutch physicians of the “physicians panel” say that if they suspect a fellow physician is suffering from substance use (alcohol, drugs or medication) they will discuss this with that colleague.
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Sunday, April 5, 2020

FASD News - 13/2020


Science Daily - Alcohol consumption by fathers before conception could negatively impact child development

Trouble for alcoholic fathers, hope for alcoholic mothers. Scientists have explored the relationship between parental alcohol consumption -- before conception in the case of fathers and during pregnancy in the case of mothers -- and offspring development.
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CBC.ca - Study suggests this nutrient reduces harm in offspring of pregnant mice given alcohol
New research shows pregnant mice taking choline, an essential nutrient found in some multivitamins, shows it reduced the damage of alcohol in their offspring — and researchers are now wondering what effects it could have on humans.
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Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - Serve the message straight
Alcohol Healthwatch will not be the only organisation frustrated by the latest delay to mandatory labelling on alcohol products about the risk of drinking when pregnant.
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Graphic Online - Sweet poison: alcohol in pregnancy
What would you think if you saw a mother giving her newborn baby a bottle of beer to drink? Would you approve of such a practice? Well, a similar thing happens when a pregnant mother drinks alcohol.
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EENet (Canada) - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder far more common in Canada than other common birth defects
This Research Snapshot looks at the article, "Population-based prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Canada” which was published in BMC Public Health in 2019.
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Market Watch - Understanding The Tragedy of Brain Damage at Birth
As citizens, we are accorded with rights to enable our mental and physical well-being. But there are thousands of unborn children who don't have such rights because they suffer at the hands of expectant mothers who risk their lives and well-being, by consuming alcohol and drugs through their pregnancies.
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Rivercountry News - Living With FASD: Brenna
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are disabilities that last a lifetime. Children with FASDs can have behavioral, intellectual and neurological problems. FASDs can occur when a developing baby is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.
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NOFAS UK (UK) - Diary of a deaf mom and 10-year old with neurodevelopmental delay and sensory needs
Today was the third day in a row the 10-year old followed me constantly around the house. He wanted to know what I was doing even though he could see what I was doing. He wanted to know instantly if I shuffled my seating position on the sofa, where I was going.
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CanFASD (Canada) - Feature Friday: Mary Ann Bunkowsky
Mary Ann is a mother of two boys. Her oldest is 14 years old and has an FASD diagnosis. Her younger son is 11. He has been diagnosed with a number of neurodevelopmental difficulties, including Autism, but she has been unable to get an FASD diagnosis for him because they have no proof of prenatal alcohol exposure. 
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Our Sacred Breath - SELF REGULATION IN FASD AND ME
We know individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder often struggle with self-regulation, which can lead to many problems throughout life, but how many of us really understand what it is?
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The Mighty - When Making 'Normal' Conversation is Hard as the Parent of a Medically Complex Child
I love my children and my husband, my family and my friends. I have a blessed life. I especially feel bad writing about this because I know it’s even harder for our son with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) who has trouble socializing for a range of reasons. I am not complaining. I am trying to explain.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Kathryn Ferenz - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- Kate & EmmaRead more
American Academy of Pediatrics - FASD 1-Page Resources for Clinicians
These 1-page resources provide pediatric clinicians information on the assessment and identification of facial dysmorphia associated with FASDs and the recognition and care for neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
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FAS-Project - Children with FASD – Kinder mit FASD
In the book Children with FASD – Kinder mit FASD, photographer Allard de Witte and journalist Joost Bos give a personal and affectionate insight into the lives of children with FASD – children harmed before they were even born.
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Sez Morse - Dr Dan Hughes - Parenting a Traumatised Child While Living through COVID 19
Dan Hughes talks to foster carers, adopters, parents under pressure and all adults around traumatised children as we navigate our way through the Corona Virus pandemic.
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CanFASD - New Video Release
We created a new video to introduce you to our organization and tell you a little bit of the work that we do.
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FASD Awareness SE #BEAWARE - Coronavirus Social Story - (a visual aid to help those with complex needs understand better)
This is a video we have created at FASD Awareness to help children and young adults with complex needs understand better the "Coronavirus Social Story". It is also a very clear way of helping the young understand through words and pictures, many of the questions around Covid19 and the Cornoavirus.
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RESEARCH
Research in Developmental Disabilities - Sleep disturbance as a predictor of anxiety in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and typically developing children
This study highlights associations between parent-reported sleep and anxiety in FASD. Sleep disturbances were significant predictors of anxiety in both children with FASD and in TD children.
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Rivista di Psichiatria - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders awareness in health professionals: implications for psychiatry
In conclusion, data show that only specific and continuing updating for health care professionals about drinking habits may have impactful actions to prevent gestational alcohol intake in order to prevent the main cause of mental retardation in western countries.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Reduced Hippocampal Volumes Partially Mediate Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Spatial Navigation on a Virtual Water Maze Task in Children
These data confirm previous reports linking PAE to poorer spatial navigation on the VWM and are the first to provide direct evidence that volume reductions in this region partially mediate the relation of FASD diagnosis to place learning, suggesting that PAE specifically impairs the ability to encode the spatial information necessary for successful location of the hidden platform on a navigation task.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Early ethanol exposure inhibits the differentiation of hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells in a mouse model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Our data indicates that ethanol exposure in mice during PD 4‐10 does not affect the generation/proliferation but inhibits the differentiation of the DGGCs on PD 35.
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Social Work - I DRANK BECAUSE I WANTED TO DEAL WITH THE FRUSTRATION”: EXPLAINING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY IN A LOW-RESOURCE SETTING – WOMEN’S, PARTNERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS’ NARRATIVES
Understanding the explanatory narratives that women, partners and family members provide for consuming alcohol during pregnancy is essential in interventions.
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SAGE researchmethods - Practical and Emotional Challenges of Conducting Community Research on Women, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Health Issues: A Case Study of a Survey Among Women in Tshwane, South Africa
This case study describes the practical and emotional challenges that were faced during fieldwork operations while conducting a survey on women’s health, pregnancy experiences, and alcohol use in Tshwane, South Africa.
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The Journal of Clinical Investigation - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder predisposes to metabolic abnormalities in adulthood
Taken together, our findings define metabolic vulnerabilities due to EAE and provide evidence that behavioral changes and primary organ dysfunction contribute to resultant metabolic abnormalities.
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Alcohol - The mouse-equivalent of the human BDNF VAL66MET polymorphism increases dorsal hippocampal volume and does not interact with developmental ethanol exposure
A relatively common polymorphism in the human brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (Val66Met, which corresponds to Val68Met in mice) has been shown to modulate cognitive function and vulnerability to mental health disorders.
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Research in Developmental Disabilities - Prevalence and patterns of sensory processing behaviors in a large clinical sample of children with prenatal alcohol exposure
Results lend support for altered sensory processing as another domain of brain function affected by the teratogenic impact of PAE, guiding clinical work and research.
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Alcohol - A preliminary investigation of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on facial morphology in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
hese findings suggest that while early exposure to alcohol may influence the development of facial structures, it does not appear to be associated with ASD phenotypic variability.
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Brain Structure and Function - Altered brain white matter connectome in children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure
This study demonstrates decreased structural white matter connectivity in children and adolescents with PAE at a whole-brain level, suggesting widespread alterations in how networks are connected with each other.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Lega Nerd (Italy) - Alcool: meglio evitarlo se volete diventare papa
Gli scienziati dell’Università della California, Riverside, hanno esplorato la relazione tra il consumo di alcol dei genitori, prima del concepimento nel caso dei padri e durante la gravidanza nel caso delle madri, e lo sviluppo della prole.
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ИА Rsute (Russia) - Алкоголь во время беременности: какой вред можно нанести нерожденному ребенку
Алкоголь – это химическое вещество, которое попадает в кровь, когда кто-то его пьет. У беременных женщин алкоголь проходит к плоду через пуповину. Развивающиеся зародыши не способны перерабатывать или усваивать это химическое вещество, а это означает, что оно представляет собой многочисленные риски.
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Gdynia (Poland) - Telefoniczne konsultacje dla rodziców i opiekunów dzieci z FAS
Pozostawienie bez wsparcia dzieci z alkoholowym zespołem płodowym (FAS) i ich rodziców czy opiekunów może okazać się niebezpieczne, dlatego specjalistki z Gdyńskiego Centrum  Diagnozy i Terapii FASD MOPS w Gdyni rozpoczęły konsultacje telefoniczne: od poniedziałku do piątku, w godz. 8 – 15 pod nr. tel: 798 073 617.Read more

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Alcohol News - 13/2020


CNN - Booze sales are booming as people stockpile alcohol ... but it may not last
The coronavirus pandemic has forced millions of Americans to stay homeand they're drinking a lot of alcohol to pass time — for now.
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The Guardian (Greenland) - Alcohol sales banned in Greenland capital during lockdown
The sale of alcohol has been banned in the Greenland capital, Nuuk, in an attempt to reduce violence against children during the period of confinement caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
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INSIDER - WHO: Alcohol is an 'unhelpful coping strategy' for the coronavirus pandemic
Everyday routines have been uprooted by the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has also driven up levels of anxiety. And the World Health Organization knows what that means: more people will, likely, be having a few more drinks, either to substitute their social plans or to calm their nerves.
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Metro - Coronavirus World: Which countries have banned alcohol while in lockdown?
While some people opt to treat the lockdown as a chance to detox and step back from socialising, others have turned to alcohol to soothe their minds. As a result, delivery services have picked up after many supermarket alcohol aisles were stripped bare.
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EurekAlert - Health warning labels on alcohol and snacks may reduce consumption
Image-and-text health warning labels, similar to those on cigarette boxes, show potential for reducing the consumption of alcoholic drinks and energy-dense snacks, such as chocolate bars, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Public Health.
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New York Post (USA) - Coronavirus is causing a rise in drug and alcohol relapses
As the nation gets more stringent about non-essential travel and bans on group gatherings to slow the spread of coronavirus, one expert says the pandemic may result in an unintended rise in drug and alcohol relapses among those who are in recovery.
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The Independent (UK) - Let’s try “Dry Covid” – lockdown is the time to kick our national alcohol habit for good
The government’s approach to alcohol has always been incoherent; we can buy alcohol in petrol stations, for example, but it is against the law to drink drive. Its recent designation of off-licences as essential services during the coronavirus pandemic is an extension of this confusion.
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Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - Coronavirus: For the love of liquor - drinkers flout lockdown rule to buy booze in West Auckland
People living in a licensing trust area are concerned about non-residents flouting lockdown rules to purchase booze.
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The Times (UK) - Coronavirus: Bingeing Britons buy 20% more alcohol for lockdown
Britons have turned to binge-buying booze, with the rise in sales of alcohol outpacing those of groceries over the past month, sales data reveals.
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UC Riverside - Alcohol consumption by fathers before conception could negatively impact child development
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside, have explored the relationship between parental alcohol consumption — before conception in the case of fathers and during pregnancy in the case of mothers — and offspring development.
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The Irish Times - Heavy drinking linked to health problems later in life, study finds
Heavy drinking is linked to higher blood pressure, poorer liver function, increased stroke risk and larger waistlines in later life, even if you cut down before getting older, researchers have found.
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Lifesly.com - Autonomous cars ‘will lead to more binge drinking,’ research shows
The increase in the number of self-driving cars will lead to more binge drinking, as people no longer have to worry about driving home from a pub or club, a study claims.
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Scotland on Sunday (Scotland) - Scottish health campaigners issue problem drinking warning
The new Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) guidance points out that alcohol continues to be marketed in shops, in the media and on the internet and that suppliers will make home deliveries during the current crisis.
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Newsroom (New Zealand) - Restrict alcohol to help our hospitals
To prevent hospital overload from the Covid-19 crisis and beyond, alcohol sales hours should be cut and prices raised, argue Louise Delany and George Thomson of the University of Otago.
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The Lancet - Reduction in global alcohol-attributable harm unlikely after setback at WHO Executive Board
A decision emerged after many hours of informal consultation at the WHO Executive Board in February, 2020, on the next steps for global governance of harmful use of alcohol.
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Newswise - Students Who Up Their Cannabis Use Face Increased Risk of Alcohol Problems
Cannabis use can worsen some consequences of alcohol use among young adult drinkers over time, according to a new study which tracked the frequency of cannabis use and negative drinking outcomes among college students over three years.
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Cancer Council WA (Australia) - Cancer Council WA calls out alcohol industry for opportunistic marketing during COVID-19 pandemic
Cancer Council WA is calling on the alcohol industry to rein in its opportunistic marketing behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic, following a spate of concerning advertising in the press and on social media in recent days.
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