www.alkoholpolitik.ch

We take a look at the drink licensing system in Cardiff, a city with one of the worst binge‐drinking
reputations in the UK. There are also reports on the thinking behind alcohol advertising and the use of drink as a precursor and symptom of sex exploitation. Finally, we return to Wales, but this time in 1970s, when the area was home to the world’s biggest LSD factory. Druglink Magazine

AMSTERDAM — Three people were arrested following a sting where minors were sent out to attempt to buy alcohol, police said. Minors were sent into 20 bars, liquor stores and convenience stores on Jan. 31, State Police in Fonda said. The following people were charged with misdemeanor unlawfully dealing with a child and unlawful sale of alcohol to a minor. …(Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/03/11) timesunion.com, 02/02/11

A population health perspective. Editorial in
Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Vol. 27, 2010 ( 5 ), Helsinki, published by the Nordic Centre for Welfare and Social Issues (NVC). The journal is supported by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), (Finland), the National Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, (SIRUS), (Norway), the Swedish National Institute of Public Health and the Danish National Board of Health. The Swedish alcohol monopoly supports the journal with subscriptions. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 02/03/11) nordicwelfare.org Comment: Very important review on todays situation in alcohol politics.

At least a dozen places selling alcohol in the North Caucasus were attacked with grenades, bombs and gunfire over the last year as armed Islamists bent on installing sharia law have stepped up their battle against those who fancy a tipple. Last week saw the latest fatal attack in the town of Khasavyurt in Dagestan, near the border with Chechnya, where a bomb ripped through an alcohol-serving cafe, killing four. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/02/11) blogs.reuters.com, 02/02/11

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

Meanwhile a recent YouGov survey indicates British opinion is split over whether the Government should go further and introduce minimum pricing; 47% are reportedly in favour with 44% against. Full survey results here and a Guardian report. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 02/01/11)

The Home Secretary has stated the recent below cost ban is expected to result in 7,000 fewer alcohol-related incidents and 1,000 fewer hospital admissions. But the Morning Advertiser (MA) reported the average price of alcohol sold in stores is up to four times higher than the below cost ban level. The Economist suggests the move is more to establish a principle of pricing control for future governments to build on. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 02/01/11 See also a Guardian comment.

… on driving performance and attention/reaction time
Aims: Marketing that promotes mixing caffeinated ‘energy’ drinks with alcoholic beverages (e.g. Red Bull with vodka) targets young drinkers and conveys the expectation that caffeine will offset the sedating effects of alcohol and enhance alertness. Such beliefs could result in unwarranted risk taking (e.g. driving while intoxicated). The aim of this study was to assess the acute effects of caffeinated versus non-caffeinated alcoholic beverages on a simulated driving task and attention/reaction time.
Conclusion: The addition of caffeine to alcohol does not appear to enhance driving or sustained attention/reaction time performance relative to alcohol alone. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 02/01/11) onlinelibrary.wiley.com, Addiction February 2011

What Is Alcohol per Capita Consumption of Adults Telling us about Drinking and Smoking among Adolescents? A Population-Based Study across 68 Countries
Aims: To investigate whether recorded alcohol per capita consumption of adults could be linked with alcohol drinking and smoking among adolescents. Methods: Adult alcohol per capita has been plotted graphically together with the prevalence of current drinking and smoking among adolescents…. Conclusion: Countries which are high in alcohol per capita consumption among adults need to pay heightened attention to alcohol and tobacco use among the younger population. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 01/31/11) alcalc.oxfordjournals.org, 01/31/11

Aims: To examine the relationship between direct alcohol and non-alcohol sponsorship and drinking in Australian sportspeople. Methods: Australian sportspeople (N = 652; 51% female) completed questionnaires on alcohol and non-alcohol industry sponsorship (from bars, cafes etc.), drinking behaviour (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)) and known confounders. Results: … Multivariate regression showed that receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship was predictive of higher AUDIT scores …Conclusion: Governments should consider alternatives to alcohol industry sponsorship of sport. Hypothecated taxes on tobacco have been used successfully for replacing tobacco sponsorship of sport in some countries, and may show equal utility for the alcohol industry’s funding of sport. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 01/31/11) alcalc.oxfordjournals.org, 01/31/11