www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Whether you prefer your wine red or white, your spirits on the rocks or your beer frosty cold, chances are your bartender is pouring a drink infused with politics.
Many of the most recognizable brands lining store shelves are made by companies that contribute heavily to federal-level politics, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis of campaign finance data. And many are ensuring the cup of only one party overfloweth. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/23/11) opensecrets.org, 03/23/11 our Online-Comment: It is hard to believe that lawmakers may establish laws to the benefit of the public if they are paid like this by the alcohol industry. At least these figures are available. But who takes care?

Research topics:
* Research on the Impact of Alcohol Marketing
* Research on Effectiveness Policies to Regulate Alcohol Marketing
* Research on Alcohol Marketing and the Alcohol Industry
* Research on the Impact of Counter-Advertising
(Source: Alcohol Reports, 03/23/11)

In Vermont, Representatives Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury) and Diane Lanpher (D-Addison) introduced House Bill 260: Legislation that will ban the sale of flavored malt beverages in containers larger than 12 ounces. HB 260 comes on the heels of Marin Institute’s model bill to restrict supersized alcopops, Big Alcohol’s latest threat to public health. (Source: Marin Institute, 03/22/11) bill 260 (pdf)

In complete disregard of the fact that alcohol is known to be the third leading cause of preventable death in America, the National Foundation for Cancer Research has decided to specifically promote the consumption of red wine, purportedly for its cancer-preventing properties. Yet even the Foundation acknowledges that the cancer-fighting benefits are not inherent to the alcohol itself, but to the antioxidants that can be found in a wide range of other foods. Since antioxidant sources are so prevalent and widespread, it boggles our mind that the National Foundation for Cancer Research specifically pick the one antioxidant source that is also linked to an increased risk of several cancers. (Source: Marin Institute, 03/22/11)

The Methodist Church has criticised the Government’s “responsibility deal” to tackle alcohol abuse, saying that it prioritises the drinks industry over the vulnerable.
Rachel Lampard, Public Issues Team Leader for the Methodist Church, said:“We are totally unconvinced that the Government’s proposed ‘responsibility deal’ on alcohol regulation will be effective in reducing the problem of harmful drinking.”
The deal, announced today, covers voluntary agreements with the drinks industry on matters such as promotions and labelling. Six medical organisations, including the BMA and Alcohol Concern, have walked away from this deal on the grounds that it favours the drinks industry, and places no limits on pricing or advertising.
(Source: Google Alcohol News, 03/22/11) protestantnews.eu, 03/15/11 our Online-Comment: Thanks for this clear statement. I wished our churches would do the same to the Swiss Government. But they are afraid their members could dislike it.

Trying to keep up with alcohol policy changes in your state or to compare policy changes across multiple states through 2009? The Alcohol Policy Information System (APIS) is the resource for you.
Sponsored by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) at the National Institutes of Health and developed by the The CDM Group, Inc., among others, APIS now includes 34 policy changes across 29 policy areas made in 2009. (Source: Join Together, 03/15/11)

The Government’s public health Responsibility Deal was announced today, but has been surrounded by controversy as health groups pulled out from the partnerships.
The ‚Responsibility Deal‘ includes pledges on key areas of alcohol, food, behaviour change, physical activity and health at work. But this week 6 health groups involved in the alcohol deal pulled out, saying the pledges would not work and were being overly dictated by industry. Today further health groups including the British Heart Foundation also walked away from the deal. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 03/15/11) Comment: The health groups which pulled out now, knew from the beginning, that this cannot work. They showed good will but it is a waste of time and resources to plan prevention with the alcohol industry.

ALCOHOL LABELLING POLICIES TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE
Place: European Parliament (Brussels)
Date: Thursday 17 March 2011
Time: 12h00 – 15h00
Room: JAN6Q2

Children can make a real difference in their communities. A new manual on rights-based research from Concerned for Working Children (CWC) in Bangalore, India shows how children can be empowered to influence their community and also local alcohol policies. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 03/14/11) add-recources.org, 03/14/11

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