www.alkoholpolitik.ch

On 22 November, top international researchers, EU policy makers and consumer advocates are gathering in Brussels for the conference „Behavioural Economics: So What? Should Policy Makers Care“. A major pilot study on consumer decision-making in retail investment serviceswill be presented and will feed into the debate.
The conference looks at possible concrete applications of behavioural consumer research in testing, optimising and streamlining consumer policies.
The key questions to be tackled include: *
– What behavioural economics call tell us about consumers that economic models or surveys cannot?
– Are there relevant examples where the behavioural approach has significantly improved the effectiveness of policy
measures
– Which key factors influence consumer decisions?
The Behavioural Economics conference can be followed live via web streaming from the conference site. The site also
includes the detailed programme of the conference sessions and the press programme.

Marin Institute has launched its third annual, countrywide, anti-alcohol-advertising contest at FreeTheBowl.com. This year’s theme – “Free the Bowl from Beer Ads” – seeks original, 30-60 seconds long, “performance art” counter-beer-ads from youth and young adults ages 10-20. Deadline for entry is January 24th, and the winners will receive cash prizes up to $1000! To learn more, watch the video.

Alcohol industry called upon to take more effective action!
Ahead of the next Alcohol and Health Forum meetings, public health experts and NGOs in the Forum have issued an Open Letter to its members calling upon the alcohol industry to take responsibility for their share of the problems caused by their products in Europe.
The EU Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF) will meet this Thursday and Friday under the auspices of the new Director General, Ms. Paola Testori Coggi. These meetings will mark the beginning of a new era in the Forum.
There have been several positive outcomes of the Forum, in terms of discussions and reports produced. Furthermore, it has increased action and coordination among NGOs.
However, the NGOs in the Forum feel that it could achieve a lot more if the economic operators have not been continously trying to divert attention into unproductive areas. see Open Letter: eurocare_openforum20101117b

Draft Programme datet 11/05/10
Some headlines: WHO-Resolution, FASD-actions, The RAYPRO web resource, The (mystery) buyer, EU Alcohol Strategy implementation

A Catholic diocese in southern India has used a Marian rosary procession as an opportunity to campaign against alcohol abuse among its people.
Some 1,000 people attended the Nov. 13 convention and a procession at Kodencherry, a Catholic stronghold in Kozhikode district of Kerala state. They recited the rosary and carried placards urging people to quit alcohol in the major parish of Thamarassery diocese. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 11/15/10) ucanews.com, 11/15/10 our Online Comment: I think the Catholic Church all over the world should stand up against the power of the alcohol industry, which makes us „passive drinkers“, as the WHO said. There is a great need for political action, according to the global alcohol strategy of the WHO resolution in May.

30 Million underage youth view beer ads on Super Bowl Sunday.
Help Marin Institute fight back against Big Alcohol advertising during TV Sports events with our Free The Bowl contest. The more alcohol ads kids see, the more likely they are to drink.
10.7 million underage youth drink; 7.2 million binge drink. Our Free the Bowl video contest empowers youth (ages 10-20) to make original „counter-beer-ads“ to speak out against bombarding youth with beer ads during TV sports events like the Super Bowl. Help us launch our 2011 Free The Bowl contest on November17th—and give youth video a voice.
Anheuser-Busch InBev spends over $14 million on Super Bowl beer ads. Your donation can help counter that power. (Source: Marin Institute, 11/11/10)

Within the framework of the European Alcohol and Health Forum (EAHF) a 3rd Open Forum will be held in Brussels (Centre Albert Borschette) on 19 November 2010 from 10h00 till 17h00.
The Open Forum is an opportunity for exchange of information and discussion with a broader range of interested parties than the EAHF membership. It also provides networking possibilities among stakeholders who wish to contribute to the reduction of alcohol-related harm.
The 3rd Open Forum presents the European Alcohol and Health Forum’s work, and provides an update of policy developments in the Europe and internationally. Topics for debate will be the Social Cost of Alcohol, Information to Consumers and Responsible Selling and Serving. (Source: EU-events update, 11/10/10)

We are, unfortunately, used to seeing booze ads during sports. (Baseball: the nation’s pasttime. Alcohol: the nation’s poison?) And, come October, we’re used to seeing baseball players celebrate playoff series‘ wins with televised champagne sprays.
So, this playoff season when the Texas Rangers won the American League Divisional Series, and then the A.L. Championship Series (ALCS), the Ale of choice — Ginger Ale — was a welcome surprise.
The Rangers gave dual celebrations — one nonalcoholic — out of respect for their ALCS MVP center-fielder Josh Hamilton, who is sober and in ongoing recovery. They also gave a separate champagne party for players. (Source: Join Together, 11/02/10)

Alcohol: 3rd Open Forum on Alcohol and Health; Announcement and draft agenda
Alcohol: RAYPRO: Resource on Alcohol and Youth Projects

The STAP conference on Alcohol and Health took place on the 23rd of September. It was an inspiring and informative day! Please find the speakers‘ presentations at www.stap.nl/nl/nieuws/presentaties.html