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)

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 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

Groupon faces widespread problems related to its discount deals with restaurants and retailers who sell alcohol. According to an attorney who specializes in alcohol law, the Massachusetts crack-down of deals involving drinks is likely just the start. California, New York and at least 15 other states likely will find fault with the popular deals.
This attorney, who I am not naming at his request because he represents a Groupon competitor that is facing similar alcohol troubles, contacted me after this morning’s post to point out that, in fact, Groupon does appear to be in violation of New York and California law, and likely many more states. In fact, this memo from the California Alcoholic Beverage Commission appears to suggest Groupon, as an Internet provider soliciting sales that include (or can include) alcohol, needs to hold a license in that state. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/22/11) blogs.forbes.com, 03/21/11

The Methodist Church has criticised the Government’s “responsibility deal” to tackle alcohol abuse, saying that it prioritises the drinks industry over the vulnerable.
Rachel Lampard, Public Issues Team Leader for the Methodist Church, said:“We are totally unconvinced that the Government’s proposed ‘responsibility deal’ on alcohol regulation will be effective in reducing the problem of harmful drinking.”
The deal, announced today, covers voluntary agreements with the drinks industry on matters such as promotions and labelling. Six medical organisations, including the BMA and Alcohol Concern, have walked away from this deal on the grounds that it favours the drinks industry, and places no limits on pricing or advertising.
(Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/22/11) protestantnews.eu, 03/15/11 our Online-Comment: Thanks for this clear statement. I wished our churches would do the same to the Swiss Government. But they are afraid their members could dislike it.

The legal drink-drive limit will remain at 80mg per 100ml of blood, the transport secretary Philip Hammond has announced. A Government press release said the focus would instead be on „improving enforcement and education to tackle the drink and drug drivers who put lives at risk.“
However the decision drew criticism after an independent report last year called for the legal limit to be reduced. In the report Sir Peter North proposed a reduced 50mg limit, arguing it would save lives and bring the level in line with most of Europe. … (Source: Alcohol Policies UK, 03/21/11) Comment: If there are not 15% to 20% less alcohol related accidents and deaths during the next year the government must revise its attitude immediately. Or it should resign because it had caused many deaths and injured people by listening to the alcohol industry instead of following the advice of public health specialists.

Last month, I discussed the negative impacts that a nutritional label mandate would have on small producers of alcohol beverages, such as craft brewers. Another side of this issue is the negative impact that prohibiting nutritional labels has caused small and large alcohol beverage producers—as well as health-conscious consumers of adult beverages. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/21/11) biggovernment.com, 03/20/11

Another lawsuit has been filed against Phusion Projects, LLC, maker of Four Loko alcoholic beverages, Crain’s reported March 9.
The new lawsuit, which is aiming for class-action status, was filed March 4 in the Southern District Court of California. It claims that Four Loko misled its customers about the potency of its caffeinated alcoholic beverages by using fruit flavors, colorful packaging, and clever shelf placement in stores to suggest they were similar to non-alcoholic beverages. Source: Join Together, 03/18/11)

Lawmakers have been weighing whether to raise the tax on alcoholic beverages since the first day of this year’s legislative session. But the idea is getting a fresh look in recent weeks — with a twist.
Health advocates recently learned that DC imposes a „special sales tax“ on alcohol, charging an extra 3-4 percent on top of the regular 6 percent sales tax rate. Maryland, they argue, should follow the District’s lead and develop its own special sales tax for alcohol.
The new proposal comes as the General Assembly is getting into the nitty gritty of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s $14 billion general fund budget. Revenue increases are considered separately from the budget, but they generally go hand in hand. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/18/11) weblogs.baltimoresun.com, 03/17/11 our Online-Comment: Alcohol taxes should be seen in relation to the damage and harm alcoholic beverages produce in society. Alcohol taxes should be high enough to reduce general consumption. This would reduce also the tribute we pay a life long without being asked for alcohol related social costs. The profit goes to the alcohol industry.