www.alkoholpolitik.ch

www.alkoholpolitik.ch Newsletter October 2009 (issued 10/31/09)
Dear English speaking reader, dear friends,

I am glad to send you examples of the new entries on my website. See the website for more entries.
After modernising the website we had to alter the look of this newsletter too. We have split the articles in two separate language newsletters, German and English. With a mouseclick on the titles you come to the original article where you find also the links to the source. We hope to meet your requirements. It is now much shorter and better to read. Anyhow we are willing to improve it when you give us a feedback with proposals. Please check, if you have included our address in your list of accepted addresses that your SPAM-filter doesn’t exclude our newsletter.
1639 articles in 85 categories and with 4369 main expressions (tags) since the beginning of the year.
If you shouldn’t like to receive this newsletter anymore or wish to order a copy for someone else, please just send a short e-mail to: htmeyer(at)alkoholpolitik.ch
Kind regards Yours Hermann T. Meyer

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Introduction for mailed Newsletter:

Dear reader, dear friends,

France decided this summer new laws regarding alcohol prevention. Germany got a new government. As in France, the German government holds in parliament an absolute majority. Unfortunately there is not much hope, that the German government will use it to introduce new preventive laws. But many communities are very active. In the EU Germany will even oppose still more any progress in alcohol policies.

In Geneva these days the World Health Organization WHO discussed its alcohol strategy plans with delegations from states and stakeholders. I heard that there is a positive feeling on the outcome. In basispapers for the strategy the new expression “passive-drinker” and “passive-drinking” appeared. After passive-smoking was the key to change the trend in smoking we can hope that passive-drinking can bring the same effect. Actually we are all passive-drinkers, as we all suffer of reduced quality of life and we pay an extreme high amount of alcohol related social costs the whole life. When everybody especially the modest drinkers understand how much they could profit from a reduced consumption alcohol policies could become successful. A writer of a German Blog, friendly to the alcohol industry, was alarmed and warned that within four to five years this new approach could have effect.

New research in US shows new figures on the result of control mesures. For example, there is evidence that increasing alcohol taxes to keep pace with inflation would lead to a 19 percent reduction in heavy drinking by youth and a 6 percent reduction in high-risk drinking. Research also has shown that simply changing licensing provisions and modifying hours of service at establishments that sell alcohol can have a significant effect on drinking and drinking-related problems.

Best regards
Yours passive-drinker
Hermann T. Meyer
www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Lindenstr. 32
CH-8307 Effretikon
Switzerland

PS The next Newsletter will be issued end of November 2009

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TOP NEWS

Meeting of Alcohol Producers in Brussels 24. Oktober 2009
“There is no Single European way to Consume Alcoholic Beverages”
– Understanding Different Drinking Patterns Across Europe key to Successful Alcohol Policies. EU-level policy to reduce alcohol-related harm must be tailored to respond to diverse, complex realities in the different Member States. This is the conclusion of experts meeting in Brussels today at a scientific conference, organised by the Wine Information Council. (Source: Google Alkohol Alert, 10/23/09) flensburg-online.de, 23.10.09 Comment: In the media-report they pretend: “Furthermore, the literature suggests that the regulatory approach is simplistic, and sometimes counter-productive, punishing moderate drinkers and leaving problem drinkers unhelped.” The literature they mention is their own literature. The reality is just the contrary. Moderate drinkers and problem drinkers have a profit by regulatory measures, which reduce consumption and harm. We all are at any time passive-drinkers under the pressure of the alcohol industry and suffer from tremendous harm and social costs. We need regulatory measures. They alone are able to reduce overall consumption. That’s the only reason, why the alcohol industry doesn’t like them.

TOP NEWS: France: new law on alcohol on 7/22/09 8. Oktober 2009
On 22 July 2009 the French Government has adopted a new law in an attempt to tackle the problem of binge drinking among youths. Some details:
- The new law bans the sale of alcohol to under 18s anywhere in France. …
- The new bill also bans promotions known as “open bar” which allow customers to drink as much as they want to for a fixed price. …
- Drinking alcohol in public places close to schools is also forbidden.
- A ban on sales of alcohol in petrol stations.
* The Loi Evin prohibited Alcohol Sponsorship and also banned alcohol advertising on TV and cinemas as well as on youth magazines. (Source: Eurocare Newsletter August-September 09)

TOP NEWS: USA: New Research Agenda Outlined On Substance Abuse 6. Oktober 2009
With substance abuse now accounting for one in 14 hospital admissions and generating billions in health care costs, leading scientists held a briefing on Capitol Hill to present the evidence that we already have and the evidence we need in treating and preventing the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. …
“Yet researchers have generated considerable evidence on the effectiveness of policies including minimum drinking ages, a tougher approach to drunk driving, and raising alcohol taxes,” he said.
For example, there is evidence that increasing alcohol taxes to keep pace with inflation would lead to a 19 percent reduction in heavy drinking by youth and a 6 percent reduction in high-risk drinking. Research also has shown that simply changing licensing provisions and modifying hours of service at establishments that sell alcohol can have a significant effect on drinking and drinking-related problems. … (Source: Medical News Today, 10/5/09) Comment: Let’s hope politicians open their ears.

GLOBAL

Pacific Island Nations Say No to Bud Nation 30. Oktober 2009
You can almost picture the Anheuser-Busch InBev boardroom erupting in enthusiasm over the marketing agency pitch of their latest idea: describing the Pacific Islands of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Guam, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and the Marshall Islands as a “Bud Nation.”
… Not so fast. Two separate resolutions have been filed by the Directors of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (Resolution No. 49-BOD-07, CD1) and the nation of Palau (Senate Resolution No. 7-170) to request that Anheuser-Busch cease and desist from describing the Pacific Island nations as a “Bud Nation.” (Source: Marin Institute News, 10/22/09)

California, USA: Charge for Harm Alliance 30. Oktober 2009
The Charge for Harm Alliance – a diverse coalition of treatment and prevention providers, public health advocates, consumers advocates, public safety groups, youth and labor – launched a campaign in Los Angeles on October 19th to pass an alcohol mitigation fee in California in 2010. Visit the new Charge for Harm website for more information on the CFH Alliance, AB 1019, and alcohol harm. Take action by filling out the CFH Postcard and view powerful video testimonies of personal struggles and victories with alcohol. Go to — ChargeForHarm.org

US-STATES THAT CHARGE FOR HARM 30. Oktober 2009
Marin Institute has identified 20 states that specifically earmark funds collected from the sale of alcoholic everages to programs that address problems associated with alcohol use. Funds are collected through taxes or statutorily imposed mark-ups on alcoholic beverages in control states. The idea that states should “charge for harm” from alcohol sales or consumption is a common practice in the United States, as it is codified and practiced in 20 states. Source: Marin Institute News, 10/29/09

WTO: LATEST ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL TRADE STATISTICS 29. Oktober 2009
The 2009 edition of the WTO’s International Trade Statistics, a comprehensive overview of world trade up to 2008, was published in electronic format on 28 October 2009 and will be available in print in November.
> > News item: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news09_e/stat_28oct09_e.htm

Random Roadside Breath Tests Considered in Canada 27. Oktober 2009
Officials in Canada are considering changing the law to allow police to conduct random roadside Breathalyzer tests for drunk driving, rather than only for-cause tests, … (Source: Join Together, 10/26/09)

EUCAM Alcohol Marketing Conference, Brussels, 23 Nov 09 27. Oktober 2009
The 2nd annual conference will offer an overview of the activities by the alcohol industry to prevent the implementation of effective policy instruments; information on new trends in activities and alcohol marketing in Europe and US; and a place for discussion on “how to react?”
For more information, visit the EUCAM website

USA: ‘Sticker Shock’ Campaign re. Giving Alcohol to Minors 22. Oktober 2009
Teams of youth and adults from Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties and the City of Alexandria joined forces on October 10 to launch the first Northern Virginia regional Sticker Shock campaign, a youth-led initiative to educate adults who might be tempted to purchase alcohol legally and provide it to minors. (Source: Join Together, 10/21/09)

UK: Nurses Call For Urgent Action On Binge Drinking 20. Oktober 2009
The Royal College of Nursing today branded the findings of a new report by Alcohol Concern, Future Proof – Can we afford the cost of drinking too much, as a “national tragedy”. The report suggests that alcohol will cause over 90,000 avoidable deaths in the next decade. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/19/09)

TOP NEWS: Alcohol is involved in 1 in 10 deaths in Europe 19. Oktober 2009
More protection needed for European citizens. This is the headline of a new brochure by Eurocare with basic facts on alcohol in the EU.
The European Union (EU) is the heaviest drinking region of the world (11 litres of pure alcohol drunk per adult each year). This is over 2,5 times the rest of the world average. ALCOHOL IS NOT AN ORDINARY CONSUMER
COMMODITY. Harm to the Individual drinker: Alcohol is a key health determinant, responsible for 7.4% of all ill-health and premature death in the EU, which makes it the 3rd leading risk factor, after high blood pressure and tobacco. (Source: Eurocare, 10/18/09)BROCH_MEP091019

USA: Bounce Beer Pong to Prevent Flu, School Says 15. Oktober 2009
College students should stop playing beer pong and sharing drink cups in order to prevent the spread of the H1N1 (swine) flu this fall, a New York school advises. The Associated Press reported Oct. 13 that health officials at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) said that several H1N1 cases on campus have been traced to a group of students who shared drinks during a weekend that included drinking games. (Source: Join Together, 10/14/09)

Lance Armstrong to Peddle Beer 14. Oktober 2009
After winning the Tour de France seven consecutive times, what else is a cyclist to do but start hawking beer? Lance Armstrong, the iconic, cancer-surviving athlete seems to think so. He’s just inked a three-year deal with Anheuser Busch-InBev (ABI) to promote Michelob Ultra as a low-calorie beer for “health-minded, active drinkers.” (Source: Marin Institute, 10/12/09)

Big Beer Duopoly Warning from Marin Institute 14. Oktober 2009
Marin Institute, the alcohol industry watchdog, released a report today criticizing the hasty approval of two beer mergers that left 80 percent of the United States beer market in the hands of two foreign companies – MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch InBev. Big Beer Duopoly: A Primer for Policymakers and Regulators describes the drastic shift in U.S. beer market ownership to this powerful duo of global corporations. The report warns of potential adverse consequences to public health, public policy, and to the state-controlled three-tier system of alcohol distribution. Marin Institute called upon the Obama Administration to investigate the mergers hastily approved at the end of the Bush administration. (Source: Marin Institute, 10/13/09)

USA: Governments Turn to Alcohol to Patch Budgets 14. Oktober 2009
Some formerly dry communities in USA are allowing alcohol sales in order to generate tax revenues in tough fiscal times, while states are seeking higher alcohol taxes to close their own budget deficits. (Source: Join Together, 10/9/09)

USA: Support for Ignition Interlock Devices to Prevent DWI 9. Oktober 2009
Two-thirds of Americans would support the installation of devices that prevent cars from starting if drivers are impaired — assuming such technology is reliable — according to a survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The survey also found that 40 percent of respondents said they would like such devices installed in their own cars if that option was available. Some drunk-driving prevention experts would like to see the so-called ignition-interlock devices installed on all vehicles. About 180,000 of the devices are currently installed in the U.S. (Source: Join Together, 10/8/09)

Dutch Minister doesn’t follow advise on alcoholic energy drinks 8. Oktober 2009
On the 31th of July 2008, STAP, the Dutch institute for alcohol policy, made a call on the supermarkets to ban alcoholic energy drinks from their stock, because of the increased alcohol-related harm risks. As a reaction on this call, questions were raised to minister Klink of the ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports about the risk of alcoholic energy drinks on the 4th of august 2008. The minister ordered an independent risk inventory of alcoholic energy drinks, executed by the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA). The aim of this literature study was to assess where ether the combination of alcohol use and energy drinks, increases the harmful risks of drinking alcohol. Unfortunately the minister refused to take action. (Source: EUCAM, 10/8/09

Italy introduced measures to reduce consumption among youths 8. Oktober 2009
Parents whose children are caught in possession of alcohol or drinking in public will get a fine of up to €900 under an emergency law designed to reduce binge drinking in Italy.
As it announced the move, Milan city council revealed that 34 per cent of 11-year-olds in the city had “problems with alcohol”. This is the first of its kind in Italy. Letizia Moratti, the centre-right Mayor of Milan, said that “this is not a punitive measure,” but “a message to young people and their families that alcohol is bad for you and that alcohol abuse and dependence lead to negative consequences.”
A sixth of hospital admissions for alcohol abuse involved youngsters under 14. (Source: Eurocare newsletter August-September 09)

Eurocare Newsletter August-September 2009 8. Oktober 2009
Interesting news on alcohol politics within EU and WHO. (Switzerland incl.)

Estonian Government to raise alcohol taxes 8. Oktober 2009
The Estonian government agreed on principle on the next state budget 2010 and in order to cover spending in this budget, the state will increase the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco, Estonian dailies write.
It was agreed that the spending will amount to 89 billion kroons and the revenue volume will be 84 billion kroons. If the decision of the government is finalised, next year the excise tax on alcohol will increase by ten percent and excise tax on tobacco will be raised by 20 percent by the beginning of 2011. (Source: Eurocare Newsletter August-September 09) baltic-course.com, 9/25/09

Process for implementing the WHA 61.4 resolution (WHO) 8. Oktober 2009
Follow the process for implementing the WHA 61.4 resolution and preparing a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol. Member States at the May 2008 World Health Assembly have considered the report of the Secretariat “Strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol” and adopted the resolution that, inter alia, mandated that WHO prepares a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol.
The planned process of implementing the WHA61.4 resolution and preparing the draft strategy will involve the following stages, activities and timeline: See this WHO website — newscientist.com, 10/14/09

UK: Tory plan to tax alcohol if elected 8. Oktober 2009
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling announced today that if elected a Tory government would launch a drive against binge drinking and anti-social behaviour by sharply raising taxes on alcopops, cider, super-strength lager and making changes to licensing laws. (Source: Google Alkohol Alert, 10/8/09) politics.co.uk, 10/7/09

TOP NEWS: EESC warns of the consequences of alcohol abuse 8. Oktober 2009
As requested by the Swedish Presidency, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has presented its views on alcohol-related harm in European society. The EESC calls for stricter controls on alcohol marketing and pricing policies in order to reduce problems associated with alcohol consumption.
These measures are aimed at reducing the proportion of people estimated to drink harmful levels of alcohol in the EU, which currently amounts to 15% of the adult population, as well as protecting children from its consequences. … EESC Press release Nr 127/2009, 10/6/09. The full text of these opinions will soon be available in all EU languages on http://eesc.europa.eu/documents/opinions/avis_en.asp

Court Denies Death Row Appeal Based on FAS History 7. Oktober 2009
A woman who murdered a retired Louisiana minister had her death-row appeal rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled against Brandy Holmes’ contention that her debilitation caused by fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) should have been considered during her sentencing. (Source: Join Together, 10/6/09) Comment: Incredible, medival justice.

Sweden: The immoral conduct of the alcohol industry 7. Oktober 2009
When the Swedish brewer organisation and The Brewers of Europe spread misleading information about the restrictive Swedish alcohol policy by buying entire pages in daily newspapers to “inform” about results from a report they themselves had financed, UNF reported them to the ombudsman for advertising for providing misinformation and targeting young people with one page alcohol ads. It’s another exclamation mark in UNF’s series of action to point on the immoral conduct of the alcohol industry. (Source: Active newsletter October 2009, not online) order newsletter: office@activeeurope.org

ADF Tackles Binge Drinking Head On, Australia 7. Oktober 2009
The Australian Drug Foundation is responding to the binge drinking problem in Cairns by rolling out its Good Sports program across North Queensland – a program committed to reducing alcohol related problems in sporting clubs. Addressing recent Cairns media reports about a rise in dollar drinks and binge drinking, the Foundation’s Tony Hewitt says “There is an urgent need to help Queenslanders understand the risk of binge drinking and the marketing ploys used to encourage excessive consumption of alcohol. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/6/09)

State Can Control Airborne Alcohol, Judge Says 6. Oktober 2009
The state of New Mexico was within its rights to prevent US Airways from serving alcohol on flights to the state after a drunken passenger was involved in a fatal auto crash, a federal judge has ruled. (Source: Join Together, 10/5/09)

Student Senate group reviews alcohol policies 5. Oktober 2009
Kansas, USA: Student Senate is looking to students for ways to improve current alcohol policies.
The alcohol sub-committee of the student rights committee began its Thursday-night meeting with the mission of creating a survey about the alcohol policies’ effectiveness. … (Source: Google Alkohol Alert, 10/5/09) kansan.com, 10/5/09

The BEER Act – Chutzpah & Hypocrisy 4. Oktober 2009
Joseph A. Califano, Jr. says in his blog. “I have two awards to present this week—one for Chutzpah and the other for Hypocrisy.
The First Annual Chutzpah Award goes to the Beer Institute and Brewers Association. The beer merchants’ lobby “proudly announced” last week that it had lined up (lined the pockets of?) 218 members of the US House of Representatives to sponsor legislation to roll back the federal excise tax on beer.
The First Annual Hypocrisy Award goes to Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Tom Latham (R-IA) and the 216 other House members who cosponsored the BEER bill to cut the tax on beer in half which will reduce the cost of beer and make this drink fit even more easily into the weekly allowances of teens…. (Source: The Chaiman’s Corner, 10/2/09) (with our online comment)

Italy Grapples with Rising Binge Drinking Among Youth 2. Oktober 2009
The romantic notion of Italian children sitting down with their families over a bottle of wine at dinner is being replaced by a harsher reality common elsewhere in the Western world: crowds of rowdy, binge-drinking youths causing havoc downtown. While Italians have long believed that moderate alcohol use is essential for good health, more young people are drinking to get drunk rather than just sipping wine or grappa at mealtime. (Source: Join Together, 10/1/09)

Guns Now Legal in Arizona Bars (USA) 1. Oktober 2009
Gun-owners can now legally carry their weapons into Arizona bars. The only catch: they can’t drink. The Associated Press reported that a new law allows concealed weapons in establishments that serve alcohol, if bar or restaurant owners agree. Those who don’t may post signs saying that guns are not welcome. (Source: Join Together, 9/30/09)

Treating Addiction Cuts Health Care Costs 1. Oktober 2009
‘Let’s Put Our Money Where The Savings Are’ Says Howard Meitiner, President And CEO Of Phoenix House, the nation’s leading non-profit alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention agency. When it comes to drug and alcohol abuse, the allocation of federal and state health care dollars is just plain backward. In a thought-provoking opinion piece on the Phoenix House blog, Rising Above Addiction, Mr. Meitiner insists that re-appropriating funds toward treating addiction — rather than treating the expensive symptoms and consequences of addiction — would save not only lives, but vast amounts of money. (Source: Medical News Today, 9/30/09)

Big Beer Gets Rich Off “Joe Six-Pack” 1. Oktober 2009
With the recession food and beverage prices have dropped some to match the dip in consumer spending. Makes sense. So why then is the cost of beer going up? According to a recent MSN Money article, Why Every Cold Beer Costs You More, the biggest beer companies–MillerCoors, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Pabst Brewing–have increased their prices by nearly 4 percent so far this year, and they expect their prices to continue to climb through the remainder of 2009. These brewers say the increase is paying for “…profit growth and pricier commodities used to make beer.”
The real reason for the price hikes is a tad more embarrassing: skyrocketing executive pay. … (Source: Marin Institute, 9/29/09)

Alcohol Promotion on Facebook 1. Oktober 2009
Since its debut five years ago, Facebook has grown exponentially to include colleges and universities, high school and business networks, along with the general public around the globe. In that same time, Facebook also changed its advertising policies and regulations from not offering online advertising to soliciting paid advertisements for products and services including alcohol products. Although the company’s policy requires paid advertisements for alcohol to include age restrictions, the policy is not enforced by Facebook, nor does the restriction requirement apply to other sources of alcohol content throughout Facebook. … (Source: Marin Institute, ) The Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice (Source: Join Together, 10/8/09)

RESEARCH

Alcohol the Real Date-Rape Drug, Study Says 30. Oktober 2009
Women who have lost control or consciousness due to excessive drinking have fueled what British researchers have termed the “urban legend” of drinks being spiked with so-called “date-rape” drugs, according to a new study. (Source: Join Together, 10/29/09)

Australia: Drinking Their Way to Early Death 30. Oktober 2009
“Alcohol is a factor in the deaths of one in seven young people, kills 3430 people a year and causes accidents and injury that put 80,000 Australians into hospital annually. A report released by the National Drug Research Institute last month showed that, … According to the National Preventative Health Taskforce Report, released this month, alcohol abuse costs the Australian economy $15 billion a year. … (Source: Harvard World Health News, 10/29/09) The Sydney Morning Herald, 10/25/09 Comment: Interesting figures for passive-drinkers, for all of us.

USA: Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) 29. Oktober 2009
APIS: New Resource on State Underage Drinking Policies
The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS), a project of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, announces its latest update of state-by-state alcohol policies.
This year’s update includes a new posting on “underage internal possession” laws. These laws prohibit an underage person from having alcohol in his or her system. … As of January 1, 2009, eight States have internal possession laws. (Source: Join Together, 10/27/09)

Discovery Of Alcohol Tolerance Switch In Fruit Flies 24. Oktober 2009
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a genetic “switch” in fruit flies that plays an important role in making flies more tolerant to alcohol. This metabolic switch also has implications for the deadly liver disease cirrhosis in humans. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/23/09)

Negative Expectations Might Produce Negative Behaviors In Teens 24. Oktober 2009
Drinking. Drugs. Caving into peer pressure. When parents expect their teenagers to conform to negative stereotypes, those teens are in fact more likely to do so, according to new research by Professor of Psychology Christy Buchanan. (Source: Medical News Today, 22 Oct 2009) Comment: The author gives some advice to parents.

Growing Up With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 18. Oktober 2009
Saint Louis University researchers in the department of family and community medicine have received an $880,000, three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to develop and test a new program aimed at helping older children and young adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) successfully transition into adulthood. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/17/09)

Researchers Urge Caution On ‘Beneficial’ Effects Of Alcohol 16. Oktober 2009
Researchers Urge Caution On Recent Results, Suggest Life-Style Factors Real Source. According a new study of over 3,000 adults aged 70 – 79, the apparent association between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and reduced risk of functional decline over time did not hold up after adjustments were made for characteristics related to lifestyle, in particular physical activity, body weight, education, and income. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/15/09) Online-Comment: Good News. This is apparently not a study, financed by the alcohol industry.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 15. Oktober 2009
Over Half Of The Deaths Occur While Co-Sleeping
A study published on bmj.com today reports that more than half of unexplained sudden infant deaths occur while the infant is sharing a bed or a sofa with a parent (co-sleeping). In addition, it may be associated to parents drinking alcohol or taking drugs. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/14/09)

UK: Cheap alcohol strongly linked to harmful underage drinking 14. Oktober 2009
Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health studied the drinking habits of 9833 15-16 year olds in the North West of England, finding that excessively low cost alcohol products and illicit purchase are strongly related to harmful underage drinking. (Quelle: Google Alkohol News,10/13/09) innovations-report.de, 10/12/09

Alcohol-related harms in school children 10. Oktober 2009
Conclusions from abstract: There is no safe level of alcohol consumption for 15-16 year olds. However, while abstinence removes risk of harms from personal alcohol consumption, its promotion may also push children into accessing drink outside family environments and contribute to higher risks of harm. Strategies to reduce alcohol-related harms in children should ensure bingeing is avoided entirely, address the excessively low cost of many alcohol products and tackle the ease with which it can be accessed, especially outside of supervised environments. (Source: BMC Public Health, 10/9/09)

The Incidence Of Children Living With Substance-Misusing Parents 10. Oktober 2009
The Incidence Of Children Living With Substance-Misusing Parents In The UK Is Considerably Underestimated.
Current figures underestimate the number of children who may be at risk of harm from parental substance use. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health have generated new estimates using five national surveys which include measures of binge, hazardous and dependent drinking, illicit drug use and mental health. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/9/09)

USA: Truck Crashes Way Down Since Alcohol Testing Began 8. Oktober 2009
There have been 23-percent fewer alcohol-related truck crashes per mile in the U.S. since commercial truck drivers were required to submit to alcohol testing beginning in 1995. In fact, the rate of alcohol-related crashes resulting in fatalities is now about the same among commercial truckers as it is among commercial pilots. The rate of fatal crashes per mile traveled for motor carriers has “decreased significantly,” according to researcher Guohua Li of Columbia University. (Source: Join Together, 10/7/09)

USA: The High Cost Of Treating Alcohol-Impaired Drivers Donnerstag 8. Oktober 2009
The costs of drinking and driving are all too apparent, with alcohol involved in 41 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities in 2006. In addition to the mortality and morbidity associated with drinking and driving, the economic impact of alcohol impaired driving is considerable, estimated at $51 billion, with medical costs accounting for 15 percent of that figure. Now a new study from the Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital has found that even minimally injured alcohol-impaired drivers account for higher emergency department (ED) costs than other drivers. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/7/09)

Teen Smoking Linked To Drinking And Drug Use 2. Oktober 2009
New research by Weill Cornell Medical College researchers looks at the specific ways parents and peers influence teenagers to smoke, drink and use marijuana in combination. Among their findings: attitudes toward smoking influenced teenagers’ use of multiple drugs (smoking, drinking and marijuana), and that this manifested itself differently in boys and girls. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/1/09)

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