www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Political and economic transition is often blamed for Russia’s 40% surge in deaths between 1990 and 1994 (the Russian Mortality Crisis”). Highlighting that increases in mortality occurred primarily among alcohol-related causes and among working-age men (the heaviest drinkers), this paper investigates a different explanation: the demise of the 1985-1988 Gorbachev Anti-Alcohol Campaign. We use archival sources to build a new oblast-year data set spanning 1970-2000 and find that: (1) The campaign was associated with substantially fewer campaign year deaths,
(2) Oblasts with larger reductions in alcohol consumption and mortality during the campaign experienced larger transition era increases, and (3) Other former Soviet states and Eastern European countries exhibit similar mortality patterns commensurate with their campaign exposure. The campaign’s end explains between 32% and 49% of the mortality crisis, suggesting that Russia’s transition to capitalism and democracy was not as lethal as commonly suggested. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 15.4.11) iis-db.stanford.edu, March 2011) Comment: Amazing how clever Gorbachev and his staff reduced total consumption. Our governments could learn a lot.

In the framework of the PROTECT project, a meeting with all stakeholders involved in alcohol labelling policy was organized by the CRIOC and Eurocare on the 17th of March 2011 in the European Parliament in Brussels. The European institutions (European Commission – EC – and Parliament – EP), the beverage industry, consumer organisations, NGOs, media, youth organizations as well as the public were invited to exchange around measurable best practices on alcohol labelling.
The seminar was hosted by Alyn Smith (The Green /EFA Alliance in the EP), who said in his introductory speech that “even though the EU does not have direct competence in health matters, all members states could greatly benefit from such meetings, in order to exchange ideas and best practices”. He was in this sense “delighted to see representatives from all stakeholders, especially from the industry” since he does not believe in “digging trenches” but rather in “open and genuine debates”. The complete program, all the presentations as well as video recordings of the different speakers can be found here.(pdf) (Source: Alcohol Reports, 04/13/11)

Read Full Report (PDF)

Newer veterans’ groups are addressing alcohol abuse among young soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan by holding alcohol-free meetings. NPR reports that with alcohol abuse becoming a major problem with younger veterans, groups like Dryhootch in Milwaukee are trying to attract these vets with coffee instead of beer.
Dr. David Rudd, scientific director at the National Center for Veterans Studies, Utah University, tells NPR that nearly 20 percent of current vets suffer from anxiety disorder or depression, and many self-medicate with alcohol. This fact, coupled with the waning membership in traditional veteran groups such as Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, is driving the new alcohol-free approach. … (Source: Join Together, 04/14/11)

The U.S Federal Trade Commission, in response to wildly proliferating alcohol advertising in both traditional and new media, is conducting another review of the effectiveness of the alcohol industry’s self-regulation. The agency is seeking comments from the public, so we need your help.
In our 2008 report titled „Why Big Alcohol Can’t Police Itself: A Review of Self-Regulation in the Distilled Spirits Industry,“ Marin Institute concluded that the industry’s voluntary guidelines fail to protect underage youth from exposure to inappropriate alcohol advertising. If you’re concerned about the effects of alcohol advertising on our youth, please submit your comments here, by Tuesday, April 26. To read Marin Institute’s comments, click here. Please submit your comments to the FTC today.

Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) have launched a new Manifesto which calls for the new Scottish Parliament to take decisive steps to reduce the harm caused by alcohol by:
Increasing the price and reducing the availability of alcohol
Specifically targeting supermarkets for increased regulation
Banning alcohol sports sponsorship
Reducing drink driving limits to 50mg
Awareness raising campaign on the harm alcohol causes to others
Improved treatment and support services for people in need
See here for the full 8 calls to action. The Scottish National Party (SNP) recently announced they would revive their plans for a minimum price if they win the Scottish national elections on May 5th. A senior police officer has also backed the measure. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 04/07/11)

sponsored by MetLife Foundation.
The annual study shows that teen drug and alcohol use is headed in the wrong direction, with marked increases in teen use of marijuana and Ecstasy over the past three years. The study confirms a disturbing trend that has emerged among American
teens since 2008 and highlights that underage drinking has become more normalized among adolescents. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 04/07/11) PATS KEY FINDINGS: Released April 6, 2011

Many of the efforts associated with Alcohol Awareness Month each April are targeted at preventing underage drinking, especially during the prom and graduation celebration season. But there are other groups that are also practicing harmful alcohol consumption but may not be aware of the risks.
Prevention efforts have been increased around prom night events and graduation parties since the first Alcohol Awareness Month in 1987, but prevention efforts are also targeted at the following demographic groups. … (Source: alcoholism.about.com, 04/05/11)

The German supermarket giant Aldi, has applied for liquor licenses for its 102 stores across the New South Wales, including 9 stores in Illawarra. The Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council and New South Wales Health have made submission against the application for licenses by Aldi. They stated the high rate in the number of alcohol related crimes, accidents and their opposition to more alcohol licenses in the communities.
Sharralyn Robinson, CEO of the Illawarra Land Council has expressed that they are very much aware of the effects of alcohol in the community and they already had more than enough alcohol outlets. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 04/06/11) topnews.us, 04/06/11

What Is Not on The Bottle?
Brussels, 17 March 2011. Pick up just about any food or beverage product on store shelves and you’ll find on the package information about calories, ingredients etc. Unless that is, the product is alcohol. Alcohol is one of the leading risk factors for death and ill health in the EU, especially among young people. It increases the risk of developing several types of cancer including those of the liver, digestive tract as well as breast cancer, it is responsible for 25% of deaths among young men aged 15-29, causes depression etc.
Shouldn’t consumers be informed about the potential health effects of its consumption? Why we do not know how many calories a glass of wine has?
Today politicians, public health experts and alcohol industry met at the European Parliament to discuss labelling of alcoholic beverages, what would be effective and why it should be done at the EU level. Click here to read more about the event and watch the video of the seminar. Comment: Article with details on alcohol harm in Europe.

My name is Andrea Lavesson and I am President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace. Active is a European youth umbrella NGO with 38 member organizations in 27 countries from all over Europe.
In this letter I am sending you our thoughts and experiences as well as our wishes – in reaction to the most recent unveiling of the “cash-for-amendments” scandal that threatens the trust of young Europeans in the independence of their elected representatives.
That four corruption cases involving MEPs , from different political groups and countries, have been discovered by journalists and that more discoveries seem to be likely has shocked and surprised us. We are truly worried and quite frankly alarmed. We wonder about what the implications are for the political efforts of so many of our members and their initiatives towards the European Parliament.
Many Active members from all over Europe engage in advocacy to share their visions of a better Europe. We write e-mails with ideas and questions. We call and we try to meet MEPs, when we have the (financial) resources to go to Brussels. (Source: OpenLetterActive110404) Comment: In Switzerland the Social Democrats just start with a people’s initiative which demands that all political parties have to declare the sources of their income. Most of the Swiss members of parliament are lobbyists.