www.alkoholpolitik.ch

THE cost of some cask wine could quadruple, with Health Minister Nicola Roxon signing off on a plan to develop a nationwide minimum floor price for alcohol. The National Preventive Health Agency has been asked to „develop the concept“ as part of a plan approved by Ms Roxon but yet to be approved by her state counterparts.
The interim chief executive of the agency, Rhonda Galbally, said that while she wasn’t at liberty to reveal everything in the strategic plan approved by Ms Roxon, she was prepared to confirm that it included developing the concept of a uniform alcohol floor price that would apply nationwide. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 06/08/11) theage.com, 06/08/11

A public high school in Long Island, New York is opening an in-house drug and alcohol abuse clinic. According to Daytop Treatment Services, which will run the clinic, it is the first such facility in New York State and possibly in the United States.
Reuters reports that the clinic is opening in response to a jump in substance abuse among students. It will be housed at the William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, NY, and will open in August. The clinic will provide counseling, but will not dispense methadone or other medications. (Source: Join Together, 06/09/11)

A sluggish economy has not stopped alcohol sales, according to industry analysts who say alcoholic beverage sales grew by nearly 10 percent from May 2010 to May 2011.
During that period, the unemployment rate was more than 9 percent, CNNMoney reports. Esther Kwon, an alcohol industry analyst for Standard & Poor’s, said that in a recession, people continue to drink, although they tend to drink more at home instead of in a bar. … (Source: Join Together, 06/09/11)

Alcohol use, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder together account for 45 percent of disabilities among young people ages 10 to 24 worldwide, about four times as much as that caused by unintentional injuries, according to a study of data from the World Health Organization.

The study researchers added up years of healthy living that were lost due to a disability and death. The Los Angeles Times reports that the study found alcohol accounted for 7 percent of lost healthy years. The article notes that the study is the first of its kind to give a comprehensive picture of young people’s global health. (Source: Join Together, 06/08/11)

A bill under consideration by the California Senate would ban retailers from selling alcohol through self-service checkouts. The bill has already been approved by the state Assembly.
The bill aims to make it more difficult for minors or already-intoxicated customers to purchase alcohol. Supporters say it would also reduce theft. Similar bills have been considered twice before by the California Legislature, the Oakland Tribune reports. In 2009, a similar bill was approved by the Legislature but vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The bill is supported by United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, several police organizations and anti-drug and anti-alcohol groups, the article notes. … (Source: Join Together, 06/08/11)

A regulation partly overruled by the Council of State would have helped prevent the recent deaths of several Russian tour guides from consuming unlicensed alcohol, the president of Turkey’s alcohol regulatory agency has said.
The decision of the Council of State was only an interim judgment and did not reflect the final verdict, said the Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Agency, or TAPDK, chief.
“We deeply care about the arrangements in our regulation to prevent [such] deaths,” said TAPDK President Mehmet Küçük. He added that the recent deaths resulting from the consumption of unlicensed alcohol had demonstrated the importance of alcohol being sold by licensed vendors in predetermined locations. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 06/07/11) hurriyetdailynews.com, 06/06/11

Police officers across more than 25 European countries, including the UK, today begin a seven-day crackdown on drink driving and drugged driving. The operation is co-ordinated by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network.
Chief Superintendent Pasi Kemppainen, chairman of TISPOL’s strategic alcohol and drugs working group, commented: “We know that driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs remains one of the ‘big three’ killers on Europe’s roads, along with speeding and non-wearing of seatbelts.
“Although police officers are looking for drink drivers and drugged drivers throughout the year, this high-profile week-long operation is meant to raise awareness of the dangers that go with driving with alcohol or drugs (both medicinal and illicit) in your system. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 06/07/11) fleetnews.co.uk, 06/06/11

The Bishop of Stafford has criticised the government for „doing little“ to prevent alcohol abuse. The Rt Rev Geoff Annas has described alcohol misuse as „one of the major sins of our time“. Writing in a pastoral letter, published in parish magazines across the Diocese of Lichfield, he called for a „seismic shift“ in attitudes towards drinking. The government has said it is tackling alcohol-related crime „at its source“ through a variety of measures.
He said charities were left to tackle the effects of „this drug abuse“, with government action not going far enough.
In the letter, Mr Annas said: „One definition of ’sin‘ is anything that comes between us and God and makes us less than the person God created us to be.
„Alcohol abuse is one of the major ’sins‘ of our time – and it is one that governments do very little to prevent.
„Instead, it is left to amazing organisations like Alcoholics Anonymous or in the inspirational O’Connor Gateway Charitable Trust, of which I am proud to be a trustee, to tackle the effects of this drug abuse.“ … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 06/07/11) bbc.co.uk, 06/01/11 Comment: It is far too seldom we here from a Churchman such words. To be drunk means the human dignity has gone.

Mumbai has voted to raise the age limit for buying spirits from 21 to 25 and beer 18 to 21, sparking concern from the drinks industry and fury among young people.
Politicians agreed to change the minimum age as part of moves to discourage under-age consumption and problem drinking.
The measures – which include fines for illegal drinking, a ban on serving alcohol at public functions and ceremonies and more „dry days“ when the sale of alcohol is banned – will apply in Mumbai and across the state of Maharashtra.
But Indian spirit-makers and the hotel and restaurant industry reacted strongly against the decision, saying it would adversely affect business.
„Thirty per cent of white spirits is consumed by people under 25,“ said Deepak Roy, vice-chairman and chief executive of Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD), which makes the Indian whisky Officer’s Choice. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 06/07/11) telegraph.co.uk, 06/02/11

Minister of the Interior Ögmundur Jónasson submitted a bill in parliament yesterday evening on amendments to the law on alcohol with the purpose of making the ban on advertising alcoholic beverages clearer and more efficient.
It is suggested that the supervision of the ban be moved from the police to the Consumer Agency and that administrative fines can be issued in the case of violations.
As reported on Rás 2 yesterday, the bill includes a ban on advertising light alcoholic beer if the bottles or cans are so similar to regular beer that they can easily be confused. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 06/08/11) icelandreview.com, 06/01/11