www.alkoholpolitik.ch

In 2010 the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. A global network of WHO national counterparts is established to ensure effective collaboration and consultations with Member States on implementing the global strategy.
The WHO Secretariat was hosting the first meeting of this global network with the aim of discussing and elaborating implementation mechanisms and plans for the strategy on 8-11 February 2011 in Geneva.
Specific objectives of the meeting are to:
* inaugurate the global network of WHO national counterparts for implementation of the global
strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol;
* establish the working mechanisms and plans for the global network;
* elaborate priority areas and implementation plans for reducing the harmful use of alcohol at the global level;
* discuss priority areas and plans for implementing the global strategy at the regional level;
* discuss monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the global strategy at different levels;
* launch the Global status report on alcohol and health 2011. (Source: WHO)

Active and partners launch action week for children of alcohol addicts.
Today, Active – sobriety, friendship and peace and partners from all over Europe join to pool and concentrate resources to bring attention to the situation of children and young people who have to grow-up in families harmed by alcohol abuse.
Approximately 9 Million children in the European Union are affected by their parents’ drinking problems. These children suffer from neglect, feelings of shame and selfblaming for their parents’ addiction and from continuous conflicts at home. Many children and young people have to witness and suffer violence. … (Source: Active/Eurocare Press Release, 02/14/11) Comment: I think this is one of the worst effects of alcohol in our societies. Who cares?

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.

ALCOHOL LABELLING POLICIES TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE
Place: European Parliament (Brussels), Date: Thursday 17 March 2011, Time: 12h00 – 15h00, Room: JAN6Q2
Pick up just about any beverage on store shelves and you’ll find on the packaging information about the calories, ingredients… etc. Unless, that is, the beverage is alcohol. In 2011, it’s inexcusable that alcohol is still the only product sold in the European Union for which you cannot tell what is inside. Do consumers deserve more information?
Furthermore, alcohol, like tobacco, is one of the leading risk factors for death and ill health in the EU, especially among young people. Should health information and warning labels be introduced on all alcoholic beverages in order to allow consumers to make more informed decisions about their drinking?
This lunch seminar will be a unique opportunity to learn more about the potential impact of alcohol labelling, its advantages and drawbacks as well as the actions which could be put in place in Europe, both at the institutional and industry levels.
Due to the limited amount of available seats, prior registration is needed. Please click here

Towards a Comprehensive EU-Wide Partnership.
The Silken Berlaymont Hotel, Brussels, Wednesday 13th April 2011
KEY SPEAKER: Dr. Pieter de Coninck, Directorate Public Health and Risk Assessment, DG SANCO, European Commission.
Whilst overall alcohol consumption by adults is decreasing in Europe, there has been a steady rise in harmful drinking patterns, particularly amongst younger people. Unless policymakers across Europe act quickly, this alarming trend in under-age drinking and binge drinking will have adverse long term effects on young people’s lives and future development. … Event Details  Website  Register to Attend

Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) strongly supports the World Cancer Day and hopes that combined efforts of all stakeholders will lead to significant reduction in cancer cases.
First conclusive links between alcohol and cancer were established back in 1987. Nearly 25 years later public awareness about the links is alarmingly low.
The 2010 Eurobarometer report found that 1 in 5 European citizens do not believe that there is connection between alcohol and caner and 1 in 10 do not know about the link between alcohol and cancer.
Alcoholic beverages and ethanol in alcohol beverages is group 1 carcinogenic, the cancer they impact on are cancer of oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectum and breast. (Source: Eurocare Press Release, 2/07/11)

A North Dakota legislative proposal to ban alcohol at collegiate sporting events was killed in committee, the Grand Forks Herald reported Jan. 19.
House Bill 1212 was introduced by Rep. Chuck Damschen (R-Hampden). It would have prohibited alcohol sales and possession at athletic events where minors were present, even at venues not owned by colleges or universities. The bill would also have covered tailgate parties in parking lots.
The House Education Committee voted overwhelmingly against putting the bill to a full vote on the grounds that the universities were policing the issue well on their own. (Source: Join Together, 02/04/11)

Today is the World Cancer Day. Today millions of young Europeans remember their relatives and friends who passed away too early because of cancer. “On this day” says Andrea Lavesson, who is the President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, “we also think of all those who are right now fighting to defeat cancer and wish them all the strength and hope possible. But to policy makers we turn, too,” continues Andrea Lavesson “in the need to stress once more that there are ways to save these lives.”
One year ago, on World Cancer Day 2010 the WHO regional office for Europe said: “Changes in lifestyle and improved prevention and screening policies could prevent up to 40% of all cancer cases.” Nevertheless, every year more than 3 million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer. This makes cancer the most common cause of death in Europe after heart disease. PRESS RELEASE: 2-P’s to save lives

A Slidell City Council member is proposing designating a stretch of the city’s parade route as alcohol- and smoke-free. Councilman Buddy Lloyd wants to make a one-block area along Gause Boulevard near Ninth Street a family-friendly zone. The issue goes before the City Council on Feb. 22. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/01/11) wdsu.com, 01/31/11

Teachers and middle- and high-school students: here’s your chance to „Get in the Game“ by participating in this informal national survey that will help measure the impact of alcohol advertising from the Super Bowl.
The Drug-Free Action Alliance of Ohio is calling for young people from across the country to participate in the „Big Bowl Vote 2011“ on Feb. 7, the day after the Super Bowl. The survey is intended to gauge which commercials the students remember and prefer — and to help students more-thoughtfully evaluate alcohol advertising. (Source: Join Together, 01/24/11)