www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Almost six million people die from tobacco use and 2.5 million from harmful use of alcohol each year worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports.
The WHO report on non-communicable diseases—including diabetes, cancer and respiratory and heart diseases—says that a large percentage of these conditions could be prevented by reducing tobacco and alcohol use, eating a healthier diet and exercising more. …
Alcohol-related deaths account for 3.8 percent of all deaths worldwide, according to the report. More than half of these deaths occur from non-communicable diseases including cancer, heart disease and liver cirrhosis. …
To reduce harmful alcohol use, WHO recommends a number of measures including increasing excise taxes on alcoholic beverages, regulating availability of alcoholic beverages (including minimum legal purchase age), restricting exposure to marketing of alcoholic beverages through marketing regulations or comprehensive advertising bans, and treatment of alcohol use disorders and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful drinking. (Source: Join Together, 04/27/11)

A NORTH-EAST academic with a worldwide reputation in her field has criticised the Government for failing to back a cheap and effective method of curbing heavy drinking.
The UK is facing a deepening crisis over the availability of cheap booze but according to Professor Eileen Kaner of Newcastle University, the Government is missing a golden opportunity to start turning the tide.
It has been estimated that damage caused by drinking costs the country about £25bn every year in terms of costs to the NHS, the criminal justice system and the economy.
One in five people are drinking at dangerous levels and alcohol-related liver disease is claiming ever increasing numbers of young lives.
But Prof Kaner said past and present Governments had failed to back an inexpensive and successful form of counselling – called Brief Intervention – which has an impressive track record in helping people curb their drinking. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 04/25/11) thenorthernecho.co.uk, 04/24/11

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—the pathogen responsible for the current pandemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)—targets the body’s immune system. HIV infection puts a person at risk for a multitude of diseases that someone with a healthy immune system generally would fight off. When HIV was recognized in the 1980s, testing positive for HIV infection was, in fact, a death sentence. Now, however, the availability of anti-HIV medications has made living with the virus a reality….People with HIV are now living longer and healthier lives. Nevertheless, many challenges remain in preventing both infection with the virus and progression of the disease. One of the many factors that thwarts efforts to prevent the spread of the infection and the treatment of infected patients is the use and abuse of alcohol by those who are at risk for infection or who already are infected. Scientists are gaining a better understanding of the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and HIV infection. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 04/23/11)

Recommendations to reduce harm
This research project seeks to examine the impact of white cider on dependent drinkers. It examines the history, production and taxation of white cider, and considers the implications for future taxation, health and homelessness policies. (Quelle: Alcohol Policy UK, 04/21/11)

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)

A new report based on a national survey shows that only 1.2 percent of the nation’s more than 7.4 million adults aged 21 to 64 with an untreated alcohol abuse disorder perceive they could benefit from treatment. The report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in conjunction with National Alcohol Screening Day, April 7, highlights the need to raise awareness about adult problem drinking, how to identify when someone has a problem, how to confront a problem drinker and how to get help. (Source: Medical News Today, 04/07/11)

Some Say New Tax Less Painful Than Dime-A-Drink Tax
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A Senate committee has heard a bill that would phase in a special new tax on beer, wine and liquor over a three-year period.
The alcohol tax proposal is considered a compromise to the dime-a-drink proposal. Supporters said because it would be phased in, they think that it will be a less painful approach.
Until now, efforts to increase Maryland’s alcohol tax to pay for health care programs have focused on raising the excise tax at the wholesale level. But advocates of the dime-a-drink campaign said they view the compromise as a victory even though the revenue generated will not directly go to specific health care programs. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/23/11) wbaltv.com, 03/23/11

Requiring parity for substance abuse disorders in health insurance plans results in identifying more people who need alcohol and drug treatment and lowers plan participants‘ out-of-pocket costs — but has almost no effect on patients‘ use of treatment or the quality of care, according to a March 18 press release in Psychiatric News. (Source: Join Together, 03/22/11)

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

… 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)