www.alkoholpolitik.ch

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

… comparison of different migration backgrounds and rural vs. urban residence – a representative study
In the years 2007/2008, a representative written survey of N = 44,610 students in the 9th. grade of different school types in Germany was carried out (net sample). Conclusions:
Binge drinking is a common problem behavior in German adolescents. Obviously adolescents with rural residence have fewer alternatives for engaging in interesting leisure activities than adolescents living in cities. This might be one reason for the more problematic consumption patterns there. Common expectations concerning drinking behavior of adolescents of certain cultural backgrounds (‚migrants with Russian background drink more’/ ‚migrants from Arabic respectively Oriental-Islamic countries drink less‘) are only partly affirmed. Possibly, the degree of acculturation to the permissive German alcohol culture plays a role here. (Source: BMC Public Health 2011, Published: 7 February 2011) Comment: Are there not more relevant themes for alcohol research in Germany?

Marin Institute awarded five young people prizes for their entertaining counter-beer ads at the Free The Bowl World Premiere 2011. The national competition drew 63 entries from 10 different states that all shared the same core message: seductive alcohol ads shown during TV sporting events, and especially during the Super Bowl, are inappropriate for millions of vulnerable young viewers. The first place entry, Ads for Kids, was produced by 17-year old Rami Al-odaini of San Rafael, California. The second place prize went to 14-year old Jaspen Lowen of Wheaton, IL for his video “Token of Lies.“ Three third-place prizes were awarded to Oscar Chan, 20, of San Francisco; Thong Lor, 14, of Westville, Oklahoma; and Lewis Kloster, 16, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. To view all 63 entries, visit FreeTheBowl.com

It’s our turn to shout media release.
New Zealand is on the brink of some of the most significant amendments to its alcohol laws, but communities need to speak up about their desire for change.
That’s the message alcohol law reform proponents want to drive home, with only ten days left for public submissions on the Alcohol Reform Bill.
New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell said he was pleased with many aspects of the Bill, which is the Government’s response to the Law Commission’s liquor law review, but that it fell short in a number of important areas. … (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/7/11) scoop.co.nz, 02/07/11

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)

“To own all routes to sociability; football, music, and everything else that brings the lads together, is to dominate the beer market.” –Ad agency Mobious in Carling strategy document, 2006.
“Carling Commandments: Thou shalt never abandon your mates in favour of a girl… though shall never desert thy mates in drunken distress, thou shalt always welcome a mate’s mate.”
–Slide presentation by Hill & Knowlton advertising agency, pitching Coors for sports advertising, 2006.
“Shot used to crank up the evening, accelerate the process of getting drunk with less volume of liquid. Sense of danger. For a pleasure ride or to get blasted.” –Slide presentation by ad agency Cheethambell JWT, 2003.

When the U.K.’s House of Commons Health Select Committee ordered up a report on alcohol last year, the resulting paper once again put the alcohol industry in the spotlight, after researchers at the University of Stirling gained access to a treasure trove of documents from four alcohol companies and their ad agencies. …(Source: Addiction Inbox, 02/06/11)

REDDING, Calif. — Working under the supervision of Police Officers, an underage person attempted to buy alcohol at locations throughout Redding. The minor was able to purchase at: … (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/05/11) krcrtv.com, 02/04/11

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)

The Indiana House approved a bill Thursday to revise a much-ridiculed state law requiring everyone buying alcohol to show identification regardless of their age.
The House voted 91-7 for the bill, which would no longer require store clerks to card customers who appear older than 40. The bill will revise a law that took effect last summer, requiring clerks to card everyone attempting to purchase alcohol. … (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/04/11) wishtv.com, 2/03/11

ATHENS: The oldest fraternity at Ohio University will shut down next week because of what its national organization describes as alcohol violations over a continued period of time.
Oxford, Ohio-based Beta Theta Pi organization says in a statement that it was left with little choice than to close its Ohio University chapter, founded on the campus in 1841. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/04/11) ohio.com, 02/03/11