www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Research topics:
* Research on the Impact of Alcohol Marketing
* Research on Effectiveness Policies to Regulate Alcohol Marketing
* Research on Alcohol Marketing and the Alcohol Industry
* Research on the Impact of Counter-Advertising
(Source: Alcohol Reports, 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)

Following the continued proliferation of alcohol advertising in social and traditional media outlets, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced plans to conduct another review of the effectiveness of the alcohol industry’s self-regulation of its own advertising campaigns. As noted in the Marin Institute’s 2008 report „Why Big Alcohol Can’t Police Itself: A Review of Self-Regulation in the Distilled Spirits Industry,“ the industry’s voluntary guidelines fail to protect underage youth from exposure to alcohol advertising. The FTC is currently seeking public comment until April 26, 2011 on the companies‘ compliance with ad placement provisions; status of third-party review of complaints; and industry data-collection practices. We encourage everyone concerned about the effects of alcohol advertising to submit comments here. Marin Institute will make our own comments available, so check back. (Source: Marin Institute Newsletter, 03/23/11)

In Vermont, Representatives Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury) and Diane Lanpher (D-Addison) introduced House Bill 260: Legislation that will ban the sale of flavored malt beverages in containers larger than 12 ounces. HB 260 comes on the heels of Marin Institute’s model bill to restrict supersized alcopops, Big Alcohol’s latest threat to public health. (Source: Marin Institute, 03/22/11) bill 260 (pdf)

In complete disregard of the fact that alcohol is known to be the third leading cause of preventable death in America, the National Foundation for Cancer Research has decided to specifically promote the consumption of red wine, purportedly for its cancer-preventing properties. Yet even the Foundation acknowledges that the cancer-fighting benefits are not inherent to the alcohol itself, but to the antioxidants that can be found in a wide range of other foods. Since antioxidant sources are so prevalent and widespread, it boggles our mind that the National Foundation for Cancer Research specifically pick the one antioxidant source that is also linked to an increased risk of several cancers. (Source: Marin Institute, 03/22/11)

The first Great Russian River Race will be wet in more ways than one, now that Healdsburg City Council members have overcome their qualms about allowing alcohol at the event.
The City Council Monday voted unanimously to let beer and wine be served at the May 7 after-race party, overcoming a decades-old prohibition on alcohol at Veterans Memorial Beach park.
Council members said they were swayed by the precautions and security measures proposed by the Russian Riverkeeper, the conservation group staging the race and party. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/23/11) healdsburg.towns.pressdemocrat.com, 03/22/11

Towards a Comprehensive EU-Wide Strategy
The Silken Berlaymont Hotel, Brussels, Tuesday 14th June 2011,
Event Details – Website – Register to Attend

Deutsche Krankenhäuser melden einen alarmierenden Anstieg von Mädchen mit Alkoholvergiftungen aufgrund von in Wodka getunkten Tampons, die sich Mädchen in die Vagina einführen. Männliche Jugendliche verwenden den Alkohol-Tampon anal, damit er schneller wirkt. (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 22.3.11) bild.de, 22.3.11

Zwischen Bundkofen und Schüpfen (BE) ist es am Montagabend zu einer Kollision zwischen einem Raupenpanzer und einem Auto gekommen. Dabei wurde die Lenkerin schwer verletzt. Offenbar besteht ein Zusammenhang mit Alkohol.«Es besteht ein Zusammenhang mit Alkohol», bestätigt Nicolas Kessler von der Kantonspolizei Bern auf Anfrage von «tagesschau.sf.tv». Ein Atemlufttest bei der Autolenkerin sei mit über 0,8 Promille positiv ausgefallen. Die Frau musste mit der Ambulanz ins Spital gebracht werden, schreibt die Berner Kantonspolizei in einer Mitteilung. Auch ein Angehöriger der Armee wurde zur Kontrolle ins Spital gefahren. (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 22.3.11) tagesschau.sf.tv, 22.3.11

Adolescent Offspring Of Women Who Drank Alcohol During First Trimester Of Their Pregnancy Three Times As Likely To Develop Conduct Disorder.
Alcohol use during pregnancy is common and is associated with significant threats to the health and development of exposed offspring. Despite warnings from the Surgeon General to limit alcohol use if pregnant or contemplating pregnancy, a recent survey by the National Birth Defects Prevention Study found that nearly one-third of women drank alcohol at some time during their pregnancy, with one-fourth of the women surveyed having drunk during the first trimester. (Source: Medical News Today, 03/22/11)