www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Researchers from Australia and the UK are calling for a new approach to the debate over whether alcohol industry sponsorship of sports increases drinking among sports participants. They want to shift the burden of proof to the alcohol industry.
The debate over sports sponsorship saw renewed activity last year when the findings of a 2008 New Zealand study among sports participants showed that those who received alcohol industry sponsorship – especially in the form of free or discounted alcohol -drank more heavily than those not in receipt of such sponsorship. The study received extensive media coverage, but the Portman Group (a public relations body set up by the alcohol industry) and the European Sponsorship Association (whose members include leading alcohol producers) dismissed the results, citing no causal relationship between sponsorships and alcohol misuse. (Source: Medical News Today, 11/10/09) Online-Comment: Yes, but such studies should be done by a neutral university, not paid by the alcohol industry, as most studies, paid by an industry get a positive result for the industry.

Alcohol consumption is a significant contributor to the burden of disease in India and is a major public health concern. Extreme policies of prohibition and the current permissive strategies are both counter-productive. A nuanced approach involving the regulation of alcohol availability and a rigorous enforcement of public health perspectives and legislation is needed. (Source: Google Alkohol Alert, 11/5/09) morungexpress.com

You can almost picture the Anheuser-Busch InBev boardroom erupting in enthusiasm over the marketing agency pitch of their latest idea: describing the Pacific Islands of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI), Guam, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and the Marshall Islands as a “Bud Nation.”
Yes, Big Beer’s biggest multinational conglomerate is thinking bigger. For years, ballpark stadium owners all over the U.S. have been selling their property’s naming rights to the highest bidder. Think Coors Field, Busch Stadium, and Miller Field. But that’s beer advertising for maybe a couple of million or so people per year. Why not rename a country in their image instead? No–think even bigger. Why not rename a whole island chain of nations?
Not so fast. Two separate resolutions have been filed by the Directors of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (Resolution No. 49-BOD-07, CD1) and the nation of Palau (Senate Resolution No. 7-170) to request that Anheuser-Busch cease and desist from describing the Pacific Island nations as a „Bud Nation.” (Source: Marin Institute News, 10/22/09)

The 2nd annual conference will offer an overview of the activities by the alcohol industry to prevent the implementation of effective policy instruments; information on new trends in activities and alcohol marketing in Europe and US; and a place for discussion on „how to react?“
For more information, visit the EUCAM website

More protection needed for European citizens. This is the headline of a new brochure by Eurocare with basic facts on alcohol in the EU.
The European Union (EU) is the heaviest drinking region of the world (11 litres of pure alcohol drunk per adult each year). This is over 2,5 times the rest of the world average. ALCOHOL IS NOT AN ORDINARY CONSUMER
COMMODITY. Harm to the Individual drinker: Alcohol is a key health determinant, responsible for 7.4% of all ill-health and premature death in the EU, which makes it the 3rd leading risk factor, after high blood pressure and tobacco. (Source: Eurocare, 10/18/09)BROCH_MEP091019

After winning the Tour de France seven consecutive times, what else is a cyclist to do but start hawking beer? Lance Armstrong, the iconic, cancer-surviving athlete seems to think so. He’s just inked a three-year deal with Anheuser Busch-InBev (ABI) to promote Michelob Ultra as a low-calorie beer for “health-minded, active drinkers.” (Source: Marin Institute, 10/12/09)

On the 31th of July 2008, STAP, the Dutch institute for alcohol policy, made a call on the supermarkets to ban alcoholic energy drinks from their stock, because of the increased alcohol-related harm risks. As a reaction on this call, questions were raised to minister Klink of the ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports about the risk of alcoholic energy drinks on the 4th of august 2008. The minister ordered an independent risk inventory of alcoholic energy drinks, executed by the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (VWA). The aim of this literature study was to assess where ether the combination of alcohol use and energy drinks, increases the harmful risks of drinking alcohol. Unfortunately the minister refused to take action. (Source: EUCAM, 10/8/09

Interesting news on alcohol politics within EU and WHO. (Switzerland incl.)

On 22 July 2009 the French Government has adopted a new law in an attempt to tackle the problem of binge drinking among youths. Some details:
– The new law bans the sale of alcohol to under 18s anywhere in France. Before the law there was a grey area surrounding sales of alcoholic drinks to teenagers aged 16 to 18, with different rules depending on the kind of alcohol and whether the sales point was a bar, a club or a supermarket.
– The new bill also bans promotions known as „open bar“ which allow customers to drink as much as they want to for a fixed price. ”These are a classic at student parties and encourage binge drinking,“ the French Health Minister, Ms Bachelot said.
– Drinking alcohol in public places close to schools is also forbidden.
– A ban on sales of alcohol in petrol stations. Such a ban existed before only from 10 pm to 6 am.
Regrettably the law now allows alcohol advertising on the internet, with the only exception of those websites that are mainly aimed at young people and those owned by sport organisations. Internet advertisements will have to fulfil the same requirements that apply to those in the written press and billboards under the loi Evin.
The number of under-25s hospitalized because of excessive drunkenness had doubled between 2004 and 2007.
* The Loi Evin prohibited Alcohol Sponsorship and also banned alcohol advertising on TV and cinemas as well as on youth magazines. (Source: Eurocare Newsletter August-September 09)

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling announced today that if elected a Tory government would launch a drive against binge drinking and anti-social behaviour by sharply raising taxes on alcopops, cider, super-strength lager and making changes to licensing laws. (Source: Google Alkohol Alert, 10/8/09) politics.co.uk, 10/7/09