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A Prohibition-era law still on the books makes Nebraska the only U.S. state to ban bars from serving drinks that mix beer and liquor, and some lawmakers are trying to make the restriction history. (Source: Join Together, 2/19/10 )

A sweet, caffeinated, high-alcohol wine has become a symbol of the growing drinking problems in Scottish society, the New York Times reported Feb. 4. Buckfast Tonic Wine goes by a number of popular names that reflect its reputation, including “Wreck the Hoose (House) Juice,” and Scotland’s former industrial heartland is sometimes referred to as the “Buckfast Belt.” One study found that 43 percent of youth offenders drank Buckfast before committing their crimes, and in one district alone the wine was mentioned in more than 5,600 crime reports over a three-year period. Buckfast is not a new product, but contains a potent mix of 15 percent alcohol and as much caffeine per bottle as eight cans of Coca-Cola. It’s particularly popular among groups of young male hooligans, Scots say. (Source: Join Together, 2/12/10)

Energy drinks, favored among young people for the beverages’ caffeine jolt, also play a lead role in several popular alcoholic drinks, such as Red Bull and vodka. But combining alcohol and energy drinks may create a dangerous mix, according to University of Florida research. In a study of college-aged adults exiting bars, patrons who consumed energy drinks mixed with alcohol had a threefold increased risk of leaving a bar highly intoxicated and were four times more likely to intend to drive after drinking than bar patrons who drank alcohol only. (Source: Medical News Today, 2/11/10)

The battle to remove alcoholic energy drinks from all store shelves has found a new ally in The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB), which has submitted a request to the legislature in that state to ban “pre-mixed, energy-enhanced malt beverages,” also known as alcoholic energy drinks. The Washington state legislature will take up House Bill 2804 during its 2010 regular session. The bill’s language is straightforward, and defined in the WSLCB’s press release. (Source: Marin Institute, 1/27/10)

U.K.: Alcohol Content Labels Will Replace ‘Misunderstood’ Units System Under Tory Plans.
“Labels detailing the precise alcoholic content of drinks will replace the ‘misunderstood units’ system under Conservative plans to warn the public about the dangers of excessive consumption. Unveiling the party’s public health agenda, Andrew Lansley, the shadow health secretary, highlighted the importance of ‘harnessing the power of social norms’ to combat obesity, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and binge drinking. Greater clarity on food and drink labelling would enable people to adopt healthier lifestyles, he maintained, ‘unleashing a new era of individual and social responsibility’ that would help to change behaviour. Rejecting the swelling chorus of medical experts demanding minimum pricing controls on alcohol to reduce demand, the party promises significant rises in duty on alcopops, high-strength lagers and ciders. It has also announced that it will use legislation to ban supermarkets selling cheap alcohol as a loss-leader to attract customers into their stores — a policy already introduced by Belgium, France, Portugal and Spain.” (Source: The Guardian, London, Online, January 13, 2010) Comment: A labour government cannot stand against the alcohol industry, why a conservative government could do it better?

The document consists of three parts: The report by the secretariat, including a draft resolution for consideration by the WHO Executive Board; Annex 1 – the draft strategy itself; and Annex 2 – a two page summary of the evidence for the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions. In addition there is also a Bibliography on evidence on harmful use of alcohol published as a separate document on the WHO-web page: Follow the process for implementing the WHA 61.4 resolution and preparing a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol Comment: One of the most important papers on alcohol politics.

In a move which could set international precedents, the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is calling for mandatory declarations of alcohol industry advertising and promotional expenditure.
Accordingly European NGOs in the European Alcohol & Health Forum have asked the European alcohol industry for openness in alcohol advertising expenditures. No initiatives of the alcohol industry have been taken yet. (Source: EUCAM Newsletter, 11/17/09) Public Health Association of Australia

Emergency physician Mary Claire O’Brien, M.D., of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has done extensive research on the risks and dangers of alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs). She is available to comment on her research which has been cited in the ongoing effort by state attorneys general to ban the drinks. On Nov. 13, the FDA asked 30 munaufacturers of AEDs to provide safety data related to adding caffeine and other stimulants to their products. O’Brien’s research found that college students who reported consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks had significantly higher prevalence of alcohol-related consequences such as sexual assault and injury. Source: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center (Source: Medical News Today, 11/14/09) (Source: Medical News Today, 11/14/09) newscientist, 11/21/09

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

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