www.alkoholpolitik.ch » Training

UK: Diageo funding for midwife training sparks controversy

htm — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 11:42:04 +0000

Drinks giant Diageo is to fund alcohol training for 10,000 midwives as part of the Government’s controversial Responsibility Deal. The training programme will be run by the National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome UK (Nofas-UK) to encourage midwives to highlight the risks of drinking during pregnancy.
But the news made the headlines amidst criticism that the alcohol industry be funding such initiatives, with reports from the BBC, Guardian, Independent and The Daily Mail.
Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, said: “It is deeply worrying that alcohol education is being paid for by the drinks industry, as it is then unaccountable and not necessarily based on evidence or public health guidance.” Professor Ian Gilmore said, “To really make a difference, education and information must be backed-up by tougher action on the price, availability and marketing of alcohol.” (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 06/13/11)

Cardiff: Tobacco and Alcohol: Learning From Each Other

htm — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:58:31 +0000

International Conference: 12th and 13th October 2011, Parc Thistle Hotel, Cardiff, Wales
Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among people with alcohol use disorders. People who are dependent on alcohol are three times more likely than those in the general population to be smokers, and people who are dependent on tobacco are four times more likely than the general population to be dependent on alcohol. Alcohol use problems are associated with higher levels of nicotine dependence and a lower likelihood -of smoking cessation. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 04/19/11)

Lesotho: Training session held on evidence-based alcohol policies

htm — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 13:16:48 +0000

“Prevention of alcohol problems is a leadership issue for the whole nation. The issue must be brought to the top of our political agenda”, says Lesotho’s Honourable Minister of Tourism, M. Ramaili. Lesotho’s alcohol policy will now be revised.
In her closing address to an alcohol policy training course in Maseru Ms Ramaili made reference to the current situation of Lesotho: “Alcohol is readily available anywhere in this country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is an essential part of all celebrations; births, traditional festivals, funerals, sports event. There will be very few attendants at such events if you do not serve alcohol. Alcohol consumption is a complex issue. It brings economic benefits, but these benefits come at very high costs. Even if alcohol is a legal commodity the sale of this product cannot go unchecked”, said the Minister of Tourism.
The training session on evidence-based alcohol policies, which was held in the end of March, was part of a process to revise and improve the existing alcohol policy of Lesotho. Around 30 participants from government agencies and NGOs took part in a three-day program based on the book “Alcohol No Ordinary Commodity”. By their commitment, their competence and by active participation the participants contributed towards a successful training with a high level of energy. (Source: add-recources.org, 04/14/11)

WHAT IS NOT ON THE BOTTLE (Lunchsemimar)

htm — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:47:01 +0000

ALCOHOL LABELLING POLICIES TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE
Place: European Parliament (Brussels)
Date: Thursday 17 March 2011
Time: 12h00 – 15h00
Room: JAN6Q2

UK: Tobacco and Alcohol: Learning From Each Other

htm — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 13:35:18 +0000

Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among people with alcohol use disorders. People who are dependent
on alcohol are three times more likely than those in the general population to be smokers, and people who are dependent on tobacco are four times more likely than the general population to be dependent on alcohol. Alcohol use problems are associated with higher levels of nicotine dependence and a lower likelihood of smoking cessation.
The link between alcohol and tobacco has important implications for those in the alcohol and smoking cessation
treatment and policy fields. More alcoholics die of tobacco-related illness than die of alcohol-related problems.
Although the health threats of smoking are clear, many unanswered questions remain about how to best approach smoking cessation in alcohol dependent populations. Effective treatment hinges on a better understanding of how these substances—and their addictions—interact.
12th and 13th October 2011, Parc Thistle Hotel, Cardiff, Wales. www.ashwales.co.uk

The final guidance on alcohol dependence and harmful alcohol use

htm — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:29:37 +0000

… has been released by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). See press release here.
NICE ‘Alcohol dependence and harmful alcohol use’ clinical guidelines.
The clinical guidance (CG 115) offers evidence-based advice on the diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence in adults and in young people:
Alcohol use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence pdf] NCIE See here for the full 654 page document.
A 24 page quick reference guide is also available summarising the recommendations made. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 02/24/11)

Virtual Seminars on Preventing Dangers of AEDs and Underage Drinking

htm — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:19:03 +0000

The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center (UDETC), part of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is offering national electronic seminars to assist states and local communities in their efforts to enforce drinking age laws, prevent youth drinking, and “significantly reduce harmful consequences associated with alcohol use by underage youth.”
The seminars include audio- and web-conferencing (for those with an internet connection).
The next workshop — called “Alcohol Energy Drinks: They Pack a Killer Punch!” — will be held Thurs., Feb. 24, from 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm EST.
UDETC invites state and community leaders to participate and find out what others are doing to limit youth access to alcohol and prevent the injuries associated with consumption of alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs).
To register or learn more about UDETC seminars, visit: www.udetc.org/audioconfregistration.asp

“The seven key messages of the alcohol industry”

htm — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:51:39 +0000

Introduction: The alcohol and tobacco industry sell products that can be dangerous to our health. For this reason, governments take action by, for example, raising taxes, enforcing age limits, prescribing warning labels and restricting advertising and sponsoring.
Literature shows that the “industry”—the alcohol and tobacco companies—have traditionally worked closely together, sharing information and concerns about regulation. They have used similar arguments to defend their products in order to prevent or delay restrictions being placed on them (Bond, et al. 2010).
The intention of this brochure is to inform professionals about the attempts made by the alcohol industry to influence alcohol policy globally and to subsequently arm them against the industry’s methods to prevent effective policies from being made. (Source: EUCAM, 01/02/11) “The seven key messages of the alcohol industry” (pdf) Comment: Very often public health professionals who are not involved in alcohol control policy are not informed what’s happening in this field. And in the political debate they are helpless. This brochure could make a difference.

UK: Whole Person Recovery

htm — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 17:39:24 +0000

Problematic drug and alcohol use has a profound impact on society. From the personal and social harms to the financial costs of drug-related crime and medical treatment, this is a burden that is increasingly hard to bear not only economically, but morally and socially. Moreover it is one that may increase as we enter a period of economic hardship. There is a constant need for new insights, and … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 11/24/10) thersa.org, November 2010

EU: Commission eyes behaviour research to ´road-test´ consumer policy

htm — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:43:06 +0000

On 22 November, top international researchers, EU policy makers and consumer advocates are gathering in Brussels for the conference “Behavioural Economics: So What? Should Policy Makers Care”. A major pilot study on consumer decision-making in retail investment serviceswill be presented and will feed into the debate.
The conference looks at possible concrete applications of behavioural consumer research in testing, optimising and streamlining consumer policies.
The key questions to be tackled include: *
– What behavioural economics call tell us about consumers that economic models or surveys cannot?
– Are there relevant examples where the behavioural approach has significantly improved the effectiveness of policy
measures
– Which key factors influence consumer decisions?
The Behavioural Economics conference can be followed live via web streaming from the conference site. The site also
includes the detailed programme of the conference sessions and the press programme.