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The Director-General for Health and Consumers Paola Testori Coggi addressed the participants of the 4th European Alcohol Policy Conference, organized by Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) on 21-22 June 2010 in Brussels. This conference series is a key event in the field of alcohol policy taking place every two years.
Speaking as part of the welcoming session, Ms Testori drew attention to the impact of harmful alcohol consumption on the European population, particularly on young people, and the EU actions in response to this. She set out the following headline statistics: 23 million Europeans are estimated to be dependent on alcohol every year; alcohol causes nearly 200,000 deaths annually in the EU, a figure which includes around 50,000 deaths from alcohol caused cancers; every second driver who dies in a single-vehicle traffic crash is under the influence of alcohol; alcohol is responsible for 25% of all deaths of young men in the 15-24 age group. (Source: EU-Health & Consumer Voice – July – 2010 Edition)

… by San Francisco Supervisor Avalos. San Francisco has broken new ground again by introducing a broad, local alcohol mitigation fee program, to charge alcohol wholesalers for related city and county services. On Thursday the Comptroller’s office is expected to release a “nexus” study showing the relationship of alcohol sales to costs for community behavioral health services, firefighter emergency medical transport and Sheriff inebriate holding costs.
“San Francisco government agencies cannot continue to subsidize the alcohol industry. Alcohol consumption costs San Francisco residents tens of millions of dollars in harm every year,” said Bruce Lee Livingston, executive director of Marin Institute. “It’s time for Big Alcohol, including wholesalers, to pay its fair share. A local alcohol charge for harm fee is long overdue.” (Source: Marin Institute, 6/30/10) Press Release – – – Local Fee Fact Sheet

Marin Institute has just published a new report that chronicles how Big Alcohol spent $3 million in campaign donations and lobbying expenditures in 2009. The list of legislators on the take includes key committee members and the governor’s “Budget Reform Now” PAC. The report uncovers what Big Alcohol got for its money, including the defeat of increased alcohol taxes and a proposed Charge for Harm mitigation fee that if passed, would have provided the cash-strapped state with $1.4 billion in new revenue. (Source: Marin Institute, 6/30/10) Press Release – – – Read Report – – – Charge For Harm

… and oppose AB1598.mov. (Source: Marin Institute, 6/30/10) See video

Police press home secretary to call time on late-night drinking laws. Campaigners says Labour’s introduction of late licences has encouraged binge drinking and led to more violent crime. (Source: Harvard World Health News, 6/24/10) guardian.co.uk, 6/20/10 Comment: It’s a pity the government didn’t listen to public health specialists.

A proposal to name Raleigh, N.C.’s new outdoor performance venue the Bud Light Amphitheater has been shot down by the state’s liquor-control agency, the News Observer reported June 17.
Awarding the naming rights to Anheuser-Busch would have netted the city $1.5 million annually, but the N.C. Alcohol and Beverage Control Commission rejected the exception to state liquor laws that would have been required for the deal to go forward. The law explicitly prohibits public venues from being named for alcoholic beverages or brands. (Source: Join Together, 6/22/10)

From the content: Global alcohol strategy endorsed. – UK Government „too close to drinks industry“. – Indian Government urged to formulate National Alcohol Policy. – Articles on Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Pacific Region, etc. THE GLOBE 1/2010 online

..in Washington State, USA
Just how low is a big-box retailer willing to stoop to undermine state authority over alcohol to increase its own bottom line? Costco is apparently willing go pretty darn low. The retail giant is making its employees gather signatures from customers in Washington State for a ballot initiative that would eliminate the state’s control over spirits sales.
Initiative 1100 would remove the state’s role in the sale of alcohol once and for all, as well as remove current restrictions on volume discounts, among other worrisome provisions that would deal a serious blow to state-based alcohol regulation. (Source: Marin Institute, 6/4/10)

Form the blog by Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
Can you imagine how many children and families–and how many tax dollars–would be saved if the President, the governors and the media paid as much attention to our addiction to drugs as they are giving to our addiction to oil!
Like most Americans, I’m appalled at the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that is bringing such suffering to thousands of individuals and families in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida and the ripple effect that threatens the environment and businesses and employees across the nation.

But at the same time, I can’t help thinking of what it would mean to our nation if the President went after the consequences of our drug addiction the way he is going after BP and the oil spill. The President is “furious” at the entire situation.
In pressing for his energy bill, President Obama has noted that we Americans are five percent of the world’s population, but we consume 25 percent of the world’s oil.
What about this one, Mr. President: We Americans are five percent of the world’s population and we consume 66 percent of the world’s illegal drugs. This other American addiction ruins millions of individuals and families each year. These drugs pour across our borders–they come across many of the same beaches now polluted by BP’s oil–and our government is just as inept at keeping them out of our country. (Source: CASA, THE CHAIRMANS CORNER, 6/7/10)

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