www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Fifth Meeting of the Science Group of the European Alcohol and Health Forum, Brussels, 19 October 2009 – Summary report available

In Oslo 22 – 26 August 2010. In August 2010, researchers and experts on drugs, alcohol and medicines will take part in the T2010 conference, the tri-annual meeting of the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (ICADTS). This year’s meeting is being hosted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. (Source: Medical News Today, 5/21/10)

The alcohol-related death of a young attendee at a viral public-drinking party has left France to confront its growing problem with binge drinking. A 21-year-old attending a „giant aperitif“ party in Nantes fell off a bridge after consuming 10 to 15 drinks; he later died. The party and resulting tragedy have focused public attention on drinking behavior that strays outside the classic Gallic norm of a glass of wine over dinner.
Up to 10,000 people showed up in Nantes to drink heavily and publicly in a party organized via Facebook. Similar events also have been held in the cities of Montpellier, Brest, and Rennes. „We cannot just let this go,“ said Nantes mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault. „They are putting people’s lives in danger. It’s dreadful. I think this phenomenon has to stop. There’s nothing celebratory about it; it’s rather squalid.“
Radio commentator Eric Zemmour said that the giant aperitifs represented „mass adaptations of English-style binge drinking.“ Another of the parties is scheduled for May 23 under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower; a crowd of 50,000 is expected. (Source: Join Together, 5/20/10)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed into a law a series of reforms to the state DWI code, including broader sanctions and a few opportunities for new and repeat offenders. Effective July 1, 2011, drivers found with a 0.16 percent or higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must install ignition interlock systems – devices that require the driver to have less than a .02 BAC in order to start their vehicle – or face license suspensions of one to six years. Persons with three or more infractions in a ten-year period would be required to have an interlock for monitoring and prevention, or not drive at all. (Source: Join Together, 5/20/10)

Saying that „guns and alcohol don’t mix,“ Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen has vetoed a measure that would have allowed individuals with concealed-carry permits to bring their weapons into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. The state legislature is expected to override the veto, however.
Bredesen vetoed a similar measure last year and was overridden by lawmakers, but state courts struck the measure down, saying its language was too vague. A redrafted bill was introduced this year. (Source: Join Together, 5/20/10)

Ein Lehrer des reformpädagogischen Internats Dahlem-Marienau ist wegen ausufernder DVD-Abende mit Schülern fristlos entlassen worden. Dabei kam es auch zu Körperkontakt.
Wegen Alkoholgelagen mit Schülern und körperlichen Übergriffen hat die Internatsschule Marienau in Dahlem im Landkreis Lüneburg Anzeige gegen einen Lehrer erstattet. Das sagte Schulleiterin Heike Elz und bestätigte damit Berichte der Lüneburger Landeszeitung. (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 21.5.10) sueddeutsche.de, 20.5.10

Höhere Preise und Steuern für alkoholische Getränke und striktere Vorgaben für die Vermarktungsstrategien der Alkoholkonzerne sowie kürzere Öffnungszeiten für Bars und Clubs sieht der neueste Beschluss der WHO vor. Damit will die WHO gegen das weltweite Problem des Alkoholmissbrauchs vorgehen. Weltweit an dritter Stelle steht Alkohol als Grund für vorzeitiges Ableben und Behinderungen. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) hat am Donnerstag eine globale Strategie gegen Alkoholmissbrauch beschlossen. Die insgesamt 193 Mitgliedstaaten einigten sich auf eine Fülle unverbindlicher Maßnahmen gegen gefährliches Trinkverhalten. (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 21.5.10) focus.de, 20.5.10 Kommentar: Dies ist ein Meilenstein im globalen Bestreben für eine lebenswertere Welt. Herzliche Gratulation und grossen Dank für all die Wissenschafter und Public Health Fachleute, die mit unendlicher Geduld und unermüdlichem Einsatz dieses Ergebnis ermöglicht haben. Hoffen wir nun, dass diese Empfehlungen in den Ländern aufgenommen und umgesetzt werden, damit möglichst bald weltweit die Lebensqualität steigen kann.

On the 20th of May, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution that endorsed a Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. The strategy highlights the effectiveness of focusing on evidence-based policies regarding pricing, availability and marketing of alcoholic beverages.
When addressing alcohol marketing, the strategy describes the need to limit the volume of alcohol marketing in order to decrease alcohol-related harm. Additionally, alcohol advertising appealing to youth is a serious issue mentioned. International marketing techniques and advertising and sponsorship of alcohol in various new media is mentioned as a significant concern in some countries. The strategy addresses, in particular, the potential harmful effects to young people in lower and middle-inclime countries with a current low prevalence of alcohol consumption or high abstinence rates. (Source: eucam.info, 5/21/10)

Tusingwire Patrick is slouched in a chair at the Victory Rehabilitation Center on the outskirts of Kampala, recalling his time as a maker of homemade banana gin. „I knew it could be dangerous, but I didn’t know it could kill so many people,“ says the 34-year-old former primary school teacher.
Patrick is referring to the more than 100 people who have died in western Uganda since early April after ingesting a methanol-laced version of a homemade gin known as waragi. The popular drink, easy to make and cheap to buy, has been blamed for causing blindness and death before, but never so many in such a short span of time. Illegal production of hard liquor is a problem across much of Africa, but it may be worst in Uganda. (Source: Harvard World Health News, 5/20/10) time.com, 5/19/10 Comment: This alcohol problem may also destroy many results in development aid.

WHO seeks bans on alcohol discounts in anti-abuse. The World Health Organisation on Thursday said it made a „breakthrough“ against alcohol abuse. – The World Health Organisation is calling for discounts on drinks to be banned and for advertising targeting young people to be scrapped as part of a strategy to cut alcohol abuse approved on Thursday.
The strategy drawn up by the UN health agency and approved by its 193-member states at an annual meeting of health ministers also pushes for an end to flat rates for unlimited drinking and for sponsorship to be regulated.
With some 320,000 young people aged 15 to 29 years dying from alcohol-related causes in 2004, the strategy took aim at the marketing of beverages which contributes to getting young people hooked.
„The transmission of alcohol marketing messages across national borders and jurisdictions on channels such as satellite television and the Internet, and sponsorship of sports and cultural events is emerging as a serious concern in some countries,“ it said. (Source: Harvard World Health News, 5/20/10) news.yahoo.com, 5/20/10 our Online-Comment: I am very glad about this WHO-Resolution on an alcohol-strategy. I hope that all countries which have signed it will introduce now effictive measures to follow the advice of this resolution. And I congratulate and thank all those scientists and public health professionals who have done such an extreemly good job. This milestone in public health history should be the beginning of a more worthy life for millions of people now and in the future.