www.alkoholpolitik.ch

The government is receiving a lot of criticism from a number of different health groups based on their refusal to sign up for a „responsibility deal“ regarding alcohol sales in England. The deal created by organizations like Alcohol Concern, British Liver Trust and the Royal College of Physicians is voluntary and encourages the drink industry to label the alcohol units on their beverages and to take on the problem of alcohol abuse. … (Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/14/11) topnews.us, 03/14/11

Madrid, 25 February 2011. Alcohol labels should warn of the risks associated with drinking. This is the position of the Senators and MPs that make up the mixed Parliamentary committee on Drugs, that last 24 February urged the Government to implement these and other measures to prevent that harm caused by alcohol.
The Committee adopted unanimously the non-legislative proposal by the Socialist Group where the national and regional authorities, as well as the stakeholders, are urged to take measures to prevent and combat the harmful use of alcohol, especially by young people.
The new labelling rules would put an end to the legal vacuum that exists in this regard. In contrast to cigarettes, where packs already emphasize the dangers associated with smoking, alcohol labels are only required to contain information about their alcohol volume. (Source: Eurocare Newsletter January-February 2011)

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

The Australian government should put warning labels on alcohol in conjunction with a broad public health campaign addressing alcohol use, according to an advisory panel, The Age reported Jan. 29.
Dr. Neal Blewett, a former health minister, led the panel of experts reviewing the issue. According to The Age, the panel recommended text warnings, like „Alcohol can damage your health“ and „Drinking to excess is a danger to yourself and those around you.“ (Source: Join Together, 02/09/11)

A push by the Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) for health advisory labels to be placed on alcohol containers warning of the dangers of consuming alcohol while pregnant is a step closer.
A Trans-Tasman food labelling review panel has just released its recommendations calling for suitably worded warning messages about the risks of consuming alcohol while pregnant be mandated on individual containers of alcoholic beverages and at the point of sale for unpackaged alcoholic beverages.
The independent panel, commissioned by the Trans-Tasman Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, also recommended generic alcohol warning messages be placed on alcohol labels but only as an element of a comprehensive multifaceted national campaign targeting the public health problems of alcohol in society. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 01/31/11) voxy.co.nz, 01/31/11