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The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (LCC) has banned the sale of alcoholic energy drinks, becoming the first state in the nation to do so.
The commission said in a Nov. 3 news release that they „are rescinding approval of all alcoholic energy drinks,“ and, after official notification, distributors will have 30 days to pull the drinks from their shelves.
The commissioners‘ actions come a week after the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Oct. 27 letter asking beer distributors to voluntarily pull the high-alcohol, high-caffeine pre-mixed drinks from Penn. markets. (Source: Join Together, 11/04/10)

First evidence-based model to evaluate alcohol marketing regulations. The FASE project (Focus on Alcohol Safe Environments) coordinated by the Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy
(STAP), resulted in the development of an evidence based framework to evaluated existing alcohol marketing regulations from a public health perspective. (visit www.faseproject.eu)
Ireland: Renewed call for a total ban on alcohol marketing practices. The College of Psychiatry of Ireland repeats their call for a ban from 2008. They state that alcohol advertising and
sponsoring should be banned, because of multiple breaches of the self regulation codes, often found without consequences. (press release College of Psychiatry of Ireland, September 12th 2010)
Finland: Task Force against “alcohol-friendly culture” to ban alcohol advertising in Helsinki.
A working group of Helsinki is proposing radical measures to curtail what is seen as an “alcohol-friendly culture” that reigned in the city. “Alcohol has become a part of everyday living and on-drinkers tend to cause consternation” the working group says. (Helsinki Sanomat – October 22th 2010) (Source: EUCAM Newsletter November 2010 No. 2)

Anheuser-Busch InBev wants kids to think so. Help Marin Institute fight back against Big Alcohol advertising during TV Sports events with our Free The Bowl contest. The more alcohol ads kids see, the more likely they are to drink. 10.7 Million underage youth drink; 7.2 million binge drink. The Free the Bowl video contest empowers youth (ages 10-20) to make original „counter-beer-ads“ to speak out against bombarding youth with beer ads during TV sports events like the Super Bowl. (Alert by Marin Institute, 10/27/10)

State Authority to Regulate Alcohol Is Under Attack by Industry.
H.R. 5034 (Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act) supports strong state alcohol regulation and protects public health and safety.
Tell Your Member of Congress to Co-Sponsor and Pass H.R. 5034
Read Marin Institute’s Recent Testimony to Congress on H.R. 5034 (Source: Marin Institute – Take Action)

Research showing that some alcohol is now cheaper than bottled water, published in today’s New Zealand Medical Journal, is very concerning and backs the view that price rises are an essential part of addressing binge drinking, says the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA).
„We were disappointed when the Government ruled out raising excise tax on alcohol, as recommended by the Law Commission report. International evidence shows that cheap alcohol leads to increased consumption,“ says NZMA Chair Dr Peter Foley. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/15/10)

National efforts to curb substance abuse in Canada are seeing a return on investment, according to a recent report, Marketwire reported Oct. 12. The report was prepared by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA), the only nongovernmental agency in the country with a legislative mandate to reduce alcohol- and other drug-related harm. The CCSA receives a significant amount of public funding through Health Canada. (Source: Join Together, 10/14/10)

The Institute of Medicine has presented the 2010 Gustav O. Lienhard Award to Joseph A. Califano Jr., founder and chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University and former U.S. secretary of health, education, and welfare. The award honors Califano for his leadership in catalyzing federal action to curb smoking and his broader efforts to reduce the toll of addiction and substance abuse, as well as for his contributions to improving public health in general. (Source: Medical News Today, 10/12/10)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeks public feedback by Oct. 22 on its plan to focus on eight strategic initiatives.
SAMHSA released a paper that details its plans, titled, Leading Change: A Plan for SAMHSA’s Roles and Actions 2011 – 2014 (PDF). It was developed with input from leaders at the federal, state and local levels; SAMHSA’s advisory councils; constituency groups; and people in recovery and their family members.
“This paper outlines the immediate and future priorities for SAMHSA, and to deliver the best results to the American people, we are seeking help and assistance from the world outside of government,” said Pamela S. Hyde J.D., SAMHSA administrator. (Source: Join Together, 10.12.10)

Put on the ballot by the Wine Institute (along with Chevron and the California Chamber of Commerce), Proposition 26 will prevent the alcohol industry from being held accountable for the harm it causes in California. So far, Big Alcohol has donated more than $700,000 to the measure. – Read More – Take Action (Source: Marin INstitute News, 10/7/10)

On September 29th, Marin Institute’s Research and Policy Director Michele Simon testified before Congress in support of House Resolution 5034 – the Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness (CARE) Act of 2010. In the wake of ongoing litigation that threatens the ability of states to properly regulate alcohol, the CARE Act reaffirms the state‘s authority to protect the public. Michele Simon’s testimony highlighted the critical role that state regulation plays in curbing potential harm from alcohol sales and over-consumption. Read her full testimony here. (Source: Marin Institute News, 10/7/10)