www.alkoholpolitik.ch

The Portman Group has challenged a decision by Tesco to move information on alcohol units from the back to the front of alcohol packaging. The supermarket giant said last week that it would move information on alcohol units from the back label of the pack to the front in order, it said, to „help consumers make responsible decisions“ about drinking. The announcement came as a new poll found that three in five UK adults would support tobacco-style health warnings on alcohol packaging. Tesco revealed the measure as part of wider plans to tackle anti-social and unhealthy drinking and said it would work with its branded alcohol suppliers to make front-of-pack alcohol unit information an industry standard.
Alcohol marketing watchdog The Portman Group questioned Tesco’s move decision, saying that it would make more sense to keep all warnings in one place on the back of the pack. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 6/2/10) packagingnews.co.uk, 24 May 2010

The Government clashed with its medical advisers yesterday over how to tackle Britain’s burgeoning problem of heavy drinking. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) called for the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol to discourage supermarkets from discounting the cheapest products and promoting heavy drinking. It said its recommendations were backed by more than 100 scientific studies.
But Health Secretary Andrew Lansley rejected its analysis and said ministers instead favoured banning supermarkets and off-licences from selling alcohol „below cost price“. Mr Lansley said: „It is not clear that [Nice’s] research examines specifically the regressive effect on low-income families [of a minimum price], or proves conclusively that it is the best way to impact price in order to impact demand.“ (Source: Google Alkohol News) n2day.com, 6/2/10 / bbc.news.co.uk, 6/2/10) with our online-comments. (2)

Invitation for the workshop on alcohol marketing on 22 June 11.00- 13.00
Items: “How to pave the way for effective regulation of alcohol marketing in Europe”
– What theory tells us about effective alcohol marketing regulations
– Keeping up appearances (Comparing evidence based evaluations with monitoring exercises of the industry)
– The Loi Evin in theory and practice
– Talking about an alcohol marketing ban….why not? (Elaborating about juridical obstacles for an alcohol marketing ban in Europe.) (Source: FASE (Focus on Alcohol Safe Environment)

Marin Institute’s Charge for Harm campaign aims to hold Big Alcohol accountable for the tremendous harm its products cause. Appropriately taxing alcohol in each state and at the federal level will help reduce over-consumption, as well as provide much-needed funds for prevention and health care. Marin Institute highlights the various efforts states are engaged in to increase taxes and fees. See list of states that currently charge for harm.
Marin Institute has published two new colored-coded maps that illustrate the gross negligence of beer taxes, state by state. (Source: Marin Institute, 5/25/10

A premium vodka sold in a bottle shaped like a skull has been banned from sale in Ontario, Canada, where officials are concerned that the packaging could appeal to children, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported May 18.
Crystal Head Vodka, created by Canadian actor Dan Akyroyd, was rejected by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario — a semipublic entity with limited regulatory powers and a monopoly on retail liquor sales in Ontario. (Source: Join Together, 5/21/10)

..as Marin Institute hosts a San Francisco benefit screening on June 24th at the Fort Mason Cowell Theater (6:00 – 9:00 pm). The movie was written and directed by Peter Bratt, starring Benjamin Bratt.
Buy Tickets Online LinkTickets $50
La Mission was filmed in San Francisco’s Mission District and portrays a proud man’s struggle to accept a changing society, living in a neighborhood battling to end its own cycle of violence and intolerance.
Marin Institute will honor brothers Peter and Benjamin Bratt with our first ever Barky Award for „Inspirational Media Leadership.“ Senator Mark Leno will moderate a question and answer session with Peter and the stars after the film. We invite you to become a sponsor of this event or advertise in the program book.
La Mission features Benjamin Bratt as Che, a reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic. Marin Institute supports La Mission because the movie raises awareness of how alcohol and violence touches the lives of everyone. La Mission sends the right message. Help Marin Institute continue its fight against the Big Alcohol companies.
See complete La Mission event information at http://www.marininstitute.org/site/about-us/events.html

21 – 22 June 2010 in Brussels
The purpose of the conference is to promote and disseminate knowledge about current thinking on alcohol and alcohol policy matters; to build capacity and to promote networking and coalition building between and within the European countries. The main aim of the conference is to stimulate action in alcohol policy.
The conference is organized by Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium and it is co-financed by the European Commission and co-sponsored by the WHO (World Health Organization).
The conference location, in the heart of the European Union, will provide a unique opportunity to involve a wider audience and engage in dialogue with policy makers at the European level. (Source: Eurocare, Programme)

Marin Institute has created a new resource containing links to websites that house reliable data sources you can use to find alcohol-related statistics for the U.S. and your state. (Source: Marin Institute, 5/11/10) – – – Reliable Resources

The budget crises afflicting many states has finally caused legislators in Washington State to realize their tax rates needed an overhaul. Included in the current budget is a beer tax increase that triples the tax rate on domestic brands (micro-brews are exempt). The new beer tax adds about 28 cents on a six-pack. We estimate this increase will raise about $55.6 million per year in new revenue, allowing the state to avoid painful cuts in services. It’s time for California and other states to follow suit and increase their alcohol tax rates to help save vital programs. (Source: Marin Institute, 5/11/10)- – – Washington Governor Signs Package of Tax Hikes, 4/23/10 – – – Tax Calculator

On Tuesday, 16th March the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted on the EC Proposed regulation on the provision on food information to consumers.
MEPs voted to exclude alcoholic beveragres from the mandatory nutritional declaration requirement (Article 29). Eurocare is disappointed that the EU Parliament Committee rejected an obligation to tell consumers what ingredients or the amount of calories or carbohydrates that are in alcoholic beverages. Eurocare hopes that the EP plenary will overturn this decision when it votes in May and calls on the European Parliament to prioritise the health needs of European citizens. (Source: Eurocare Newsletter February/March 2010)