www.alkoholpolitik.ch

A Cardiff University study has established a link between pub violence and happy hour-style drinking promotions.
The findings also show that pub staff themselves need to do more to stop heavily intoxicated customers from continuing to drink. (Source: Medical News Today, 03/07/11)

In an effort to reduce the number of drink-driving incidents on Polish roads, a bill forbidding the sale of alcohol at petrol stations has been proposed by a senatorial group from across the political spectrum.
Additional changes to the so-called sobriety bill also include a ban on beer advertisements before 11 pm on Polish television. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 03/08/11) thenews.pl, 03/04/11

Malawi now experiences a conflict over liquor sachets. Government and NGOs versus alcohol producers. Health versus profits. Also other countries in Africa face problems with the small plastic bags with strong liquor.
A few years ago a variety of small plastic sachets with 40 % spirits were introduced to the markets place in a number of African countries. Now problems have become very visible from the sale and use of such alcoholic beverages, in particular among the youth and the poor. This has resulted in public outcry and political discussions in an attempt to do something to the problem.
In Malawi there was an encouraging political process last year which aimed at banning the sale of liquor in plastic sachets. Now, as a result of a court decision, the process has stalled. Governments and NGOs have their hands tied up by the court injunction, while the strong liquor continues to be sold to minors, through legal and illegal channels. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 03/08/11) add-resources.org, 03/07/11

Active criticizes alcohol industry’s distorting picture of women.
Andrea Lavesson, Active President, explains that “the alcohol industry objectifies girls and women in two ways: since in most countries the alcohol use of girls and women used to be lower than of men, especially girls and women have been identified as new market. Girls and women became the new target group for increasing profits. The second form of objectification can be seen in the commercials: women are displayed as sexual objects.”
In fact, to seduce girls and women to start drinking and increase their use of alcohol, the alcohol industry does not consider ethics: tapping into gender stereotypes is their strategy. Therefore they designed “diet” alcoholic beverages, developed a variety of fruit flavoured beer that soon was called “chick beer” and promote these products in connection with items, like handbags, high heels, make-up, that are highly associated with women. (Source: Active press release, 03/08/11) Comment: Not to forget that is was the protest of women, the „Suffragettes“, against the alcohol industry, which brought in several countries the right of vote to women.

Madrid, 25 February 2011. Alcohol labels should warn of the risks associated with drinking. This is the position of the Senators and MPs that make up the mixed Parliamentary committee on Drugs, that last 24 February urged the Government to implement these and other measures to prevent that harm caused by alcohol.
The Committee adopted unanimously the non-legislative proposal by the Socialist Group where the national and regional authorities, as well as the stakeholders, are urged to take measures to prevent and combat the harmful use of alcohol, especially by young people.
The new labelling rules would put an end to the legal vacuum that exists in this regard. In contrast to cigarettes, where packs already emphasize the dangers associated with smoking, alcohol labels are only required to contain information about their alcohol volume. (Source: Eurocare Newsletter January-February 2011)

The paper aims to discuss the thorny issues of industry-funded social marketing campaigns. Can the tobacco industry be trusted to educate our children about the dangers of smoking? Is a brewer the best source of health promotion? The paper argues for transparency and critical appraisal. The paper looks at the issues of tobacco and alcohol in more detail, emphasises the need for caution and suggests guidelines for future practice. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 02/12/11) emeraldinsight.com

Alcohol sponsorship should be banned for sports and cultural events in Wales in order to help cut the boozy culture, according to an alcohol awareness charity.
Alcohol Concern Cymru has said that the marketing on view at such events is distorting the public’s view of how “safe” drinking is. However, the Portman group, the representative for drinks manufacturers, commented that there was little proof to show that advertising bans worked. It claimed that it is more effective to promote responsible drinking rather and encourage people to drink sensibly….(Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/13/11) carrentals.co.uk, 02/13/11 our Online-Comment: It is proofed by many studies that alcohol ads do influence youth drinking. It is also clear that the alcohol industry always is in favour of prevention measures which do not reduce their profits. Alcohol sponsoring should be banned.

The Australian government should put warning labels on alcohol in conjunction with a broad public health campaign addressing alcohol use, according to an advisory panel, The Age reported Jan. 29.
Dr. Neal Blewett, a former health minister, led the panel of experts reviewing the issue. According to The Age, the panel recommended text warnings, like „Alcohol can damage your health“ and „Drinking to excess is a danger to yourself and those around you.“ (Source: Join Together, 02/09/11)

by Petra S. Meier. Article first published online: 19 OCT 2010
ABSTRACT Aims: This paper aims to contribute to a rethink of marketing research priorities to address policy makers‘ evidence needs in relation to alcohol marketing.
Method: Discussion paper reviewing evidence gaps identified during an appraisal of policy options to restrict alcohol marketing.
Findings Evidence requirements can be categorized as follows: (i) the size of marketing effects for the whole population and for policy-relevant population subgroups, (ii) the balance between immediate and long-term effects and the time lag, duration and cumulative build-up of effects and (iii) comparative effects of partial versus comprehensive marketing restrictions on consumption and harm. …
Conclusion: It is essential that studies into marketing effect sizes are geared towards informing policy decision-makers, anchored strongly in theory, use measures of effect that are well-justified and recognize fully the complexities of alcohol marketing efforts. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 02/07/11) onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Marin Institute awarded five young people prizes for their entertaining counter-beer ads at the Free The Bowl World Premiere 2011. The national competition drew 63 entries from 10 different states that all shared the same core message: seductive alcohol ads shown during TV sporting events, and especially during the Super Bowl, are inappropriate for millions of vulnerable young viewers. The first place entry, Ads for Kids, was produced by 17-year old Rami Al-odaini of San Rafael, California. The second place prize went to 14-year old Jaspen Lowen of Wheaton, IL for his video “Token of Lies.“ Three third-place prizes were awarded to Oscar Chan, 20, of San Francisco; Thong Lor, 14, of Westville, Oklahoma; and Lewis Kloster, 16, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. To view all 63 entries, visit FreeTheBowl.com