www.alkoholpolitik.ch

135 university presidents and chancellors have opened a debate on the minimum legal drinking age in the U.S. Should it be lowered? Researchers say decades of data make the answer clear as gin. (Source: THE GLOBE, 2/2010)

Journal of the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) ist online erhältlich. Form the list of content:
* Proof? Article reprinted by kind permission of the magazine of Johns Hopkins Public Health
* Row over new US Dietary Guidelines on Alcohol
* UK licensing reform ‘a mistake’
* Alcohol increases aggression – but only in some
* Ireland Lowers Drink-Drive Limit
* EU Alcohol Policy Conference
etc.

Higher social status, better overall health could explain the link, researchers say.
A major French study links moderate drinking to a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, but challenges the notion that moderate drinking is the cause of the benefit. Instead, the researchers say, people who drink moderately tend to have a higher social status, exercise more, suffer less depression and enjoy superior health overall compared to both heavy drinkers and lifetime abstainers. … (Source: The Globe 2/2010) Comment: This is one side. The other is the uncorrect use of the group of abstainers.

The STAP conference on Alcohol and Health took place on the 23rd of September. It was an inspiring and informative day! Please find the speakers‘ presentations at www.stap.nl/nl/nieuws/presentaties.html

…Urges The American Academy Of Pediatrics
The monumental task of persuading children and adolescents to say „No“ to drugs, alcohol and tobacco is being constantly undermined by the $25 billions‘ worth of advertising and marketing each year, which has precisely the opposite effect, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
A new AAP policy statement – „Children, Adolescents, Substance Abuse and the Media“ – appears in the latest issue of the peer reviewed medical journal Pediatrics. The policy statement calls for a total ban on all tobacco advertising, restrictions on the advertising of alcoholic drinks, and a ban on erectile dysfunction drug ads before 10pm. (Source: Medical News Today, 9/27/10)

The BMA, Alcohol Focus Scotland and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) yesterday [Wednesday 22 September 2010] expressed deep disappointment over the Health Committee’s decision to remove minimum pricing from the Alcohol Bill. Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland said:
„This is a missed opportunity for our parliamentarians who had a real opportunity to drive forward public health policy, not just in Scotland but in the rest of the world. I am frustrated and disappointed that the debate on such a serious health issue has been polarised and that many opposition MSPs had made their minds up before even considering the evidence presented to the Committee. The inclusion of a ’sunset clause‘ offered an opportunity to test the effectiveness of minimum pricing and provide doubters with the reassurances they had initially sought. Sadly, now we will never know. (Source: Medical News Today, 9/23/10)

Eurocare Newsletter August-September 2010 with news from Eurocare members, EU, Europe, WHO, around the world, the alcohol industry, research and publications, upcoming events, interesting articles and questions from MEPs

BMA Scotland will today (Wednesday 22nd September 2010) call on members of the Scottish Parliament Health Committee to support an amendment to end supermarket reward points for alcohol in Scotland. The amendment relates to the Alcohol Bill which sets out measures to end alcohol promotions in off-license premises. (Source: Medical News Today, 9/22/10)

Michigan’s Liquor Control Commission will scrutinize the labels and packaging of alcoholic energy drinks, the Associated Press reported Sept. 18. The regulatory agency is concerned about the health effects of the drinks, and whether they are inappropriately marketed to minors.
„We believe that these products sometimes are misleading people,” said commission chairwoman Nida Samona. The commission will require that companies change the labels or packaging of drinks if regulators believe they do not accurately represent the amount and percentage of alcohol and caffeine they contain.
Companies will have 90 days to make changes. „If they don’t comply, it comes off the shelves,“ Samona said. (Source: Join Together, 9/21/10)

The Stories You Need to Read
– Critics See More Problems with ABC Privatization
– Strange Brew: Beer Equality Law Opened Gates for ‘Alcopop’ Drinks
– ACLU Seeks High Court Ruling on College Alcohol Advertising
– One Daily Glass of Wine Can Double Risk of Breast Cancer