www.alkoholpolitik.ch

In Vermont, Representatives Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury) and Diane Lanpher (D-Addison) introduced House Bill 260: Legislation that will ban the sale of flavored malt beverages in containers larger than 12 ounces. HB 260 comes on the heels of Marin Institute’s model bill to restrict supersized alcopops, Big Alcohol’s latest threat to public health. (Source: Marin Institute, 03/22/11) bill 260 (pdf)

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

Towards a Comprehensive EU-Wide Strategy
The Silken Berlaymont Hotel, Brussels, Tuesday 14th June 2011,
Event Details – Website – Register to Attend

Adolescent Offspring Of Women Who Drank Alcohol During First Trimester Of Their Pregnancy Three Times As Likely To Develop Conduct Disorder.
Alcohol use during pregnancy is common and is associated with significant threats to the health and development of exposed offspring. Despite warnings from the Surgeon General to limit alcohol use if pregnant or contemplating pregnancy, a recent survey by the National Birth Defects Prevention Study found that nearly one-third of women drank alcohol at some time during their pregnancy, with one-fourth of the women surveyed having drunk during the first trimester. (Source: Medical News Today, 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.

New and comprehensive study on the consumption of alcohol reveals worrying trends on alcohol use around the world. * Listen to this episode – duration 00:05:56 [mp3 3.5Mb] *
* Global status report on alcohol and health 2011 by the UN World Health Organization WHO (Source: Alcohol Reports, 03/21/11)

Using taxes to curb drinking:
In 2008, the Australian government introduced an ‘alcopops tax’ on spirit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to reduce alcohol consumption and particularly binge drinking by young people.
Data regarding sales of alcoholic beverages in Australia from 2004 to 2009 were used to examine the possible effects of the alcopops tax. In addition, population data were used to calculate and examine per capita consumption.
Various measures of consumption of wine-based RTDs, spirits, cider, wine and beer remained fairly stable or increased annually from 2004 to 2009. Consumption of spirit-based RTDs increased annually from 2004 to 2007, but then decreased in 2008 and 2009. Per capita alcohol consumption in terms of pure alcohol increased annually from 11.52 litres in 2004 to a peak of 11.79 litres in 2007, but then dropped to 11.55 litres and 11.41 litres in 2008 and 2009, respectively. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 03/21/11) Comment: This alcopop tax must have been far too small to have a real effect. In Switzerland the sales dropped by about 75%. (Here 3%)

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.