www.alkoholpolitik.ch

SAN RAFAEL, CA – Marin Institute has launched its second annual, nationwide anti-alcohol-advertising contest, FREE the BOWL™. This year’s theme is to „Free the Bowl from Big Al,“ (a.k.a Big Alcohol), as youth contestants will identify where they see the negative influences of Big Al in their lives. (Source: Marin Institute, 12/1/09) Free the Bowl

Twelve European health and safety umbrella organisations call for stricter EU-coordinated alcohol policies. In a joint policy statement released today, the twelve organisations urge the EU Council of Ministers of Health:
– to ensure minimum pricing policies, sales restrictions and discount bans in all Member States;
– to introduce a EU- labelling system for alcohol products informing consumers of the specific risks related to alcohol consumption; and
– to adopt the principle of zero tolerance to alcohol consumption before driving or at work and to reduce BAC- levels to 0,2 maximum throughout Europe. (Source: Google Alkohol Alert, 11/27/09) pr.euractiv.com, 11/25/09

Europe’s brewers are on a direct collision course with the EU over possible plans for a new Europe-wide alcohol policy. The warning comes ahead of a crunch meeting of EU health ministers on 30 November. At the health and consumer affairs ministerial, the EU’s Swedish presidency is widely expected to come forward with proposals designed to cut alcohol consumption. These are likely to include minimum pricing policies, sales restrictions and discount bans in all member states. (Source: Google Alkohol Alert, 11/27/09) fighthangover.blogspot.com, 11/26/09

The National Football League (NFL) would like teams to limit tailgating to 3-1/2 hours prior to kickoff, but so far only the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have adopted such a policy. The NFL has adopted a „Fan Code of Conduct“ in hopes of deterring behavior that league officials worry is scaring families away from games. The code includes 43 recommendations, and a league auditor is checking the NFL’s 32 teams for compliance. (Source: Join Together, 11/23/09))

A ground breaking new study establishing the link between alcohol use and the risk of contracting TB and pneumonia, as well as its influence on the progression of TB and HIV is now available. The report also explores the pathways involved, the role of development, impact of alcohol-attributable infectious diseases on the Global Burden of Disease figures, and policy implications.
The report by Jürgen Rehm, P. Anderson, F. Kanteres, C.D. Parry, A.V. Samokhvalov and J. Patra was presented during the Global Expert Meeting on Alcohol hosted by Sweden in Stockholm 22-23 October. The report is now available along with other documentation from the Expert Meeting at the web site for the Swedish Presidency of the European Union: http://www.se2009.eu/en/meetings_news/2009/9/23/global_expert_meeting_on_alcohol

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

Follow the process for implementing the WHA 61.4 resolution and preparing a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol. Member States at the May 2008 World Health Assembly have considered the report of the Secretariat „Strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol“ and adopted the resolution that, inter alia, mandated that WHO prepares a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol.
The planned process of implementing the WHA61.4 resolution and preparing the draft strategy will involve the following stages, activities and timeline: See this WHO website — newscientist.com, 10/14/09

5th Meeting of 19 October 2009 – Agenda (draft) pdf

Half or more of the ads aired during Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) games are for alcohol, drugs, or sexually related products, according to the group Common Sense Media. The Associated Press reported Sept. 17 that the group has called on sports leagues and networks to curb advertising they say is inappropriate for young viewers — so far, without success. (Source: Join Together, 9/21/09)

UPCOMING CASACONFERENCES: How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope
This important and timely CASACONFERENCE is designed especially for those who want to know how to help children make it to age 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using illegal drugs: parents, pastors, principals, teachers, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and community leaders.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Conference Center
633 Third Avenue, NYC 10017. Keynote Speaker: Nora D. Volkow, MD, Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (Source: CASA, Columbia University, 9/11/09)