www.alkoholpolitik.ch

In 2010, the UK Government’s Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network (RDAN) was set up with representatives of the alcohol industry and health organisations. Acknowledging that RDAN does not advance public health objectives, the health groups withdrew from RDAN in 2011. This editorial argues that social responsibility deals as in RDAN and the European Alcohol Health Forum will be significantly undermined unless Corporate Social Responsibility is consistent in all activities across the whole sector. … (Editorial in „Addiction“ by DR ADRIAN BONNER &
PROFESSOR SIR IAN GILMORE)
Source: Alcohol Reports, 05/15/12) onlinelibrary.wiley.com, 05/15/12

The 10 communities that will receive funding for work to tackle binge and underage drinking have been announced by Communities and Local Government. The fund was opened for bids earlier this year by Baroness Newlove, the government’s Champion for Active, Safer Communities.
The CLG press release states:

Over the next two years these innovative grassroots projects, backed by local authorities, police and retailers, are expected to deliver real results to end the fallout of problem drinking. Other communities will hopefully be inspired to follow their lead. The projects will address separate issues that are the greatest challenges in their neighbourhoods, with measures of their success that will include:

– a reduction in the number of anti-social behaviour incidents related to alcohol consumption
– fewer A&E admissions to local hospitals or fewer ambulance call outs as a result of drinking
– the consumption of alcohol by young people reducing to safe levels; and
– a reduction in purchasing of alcohol made on behalf of under 18s („proxy purchasing“).
(Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 05/16/12)

Alcohol Justice, the U.S.-based industry watchdog, released a new report today showing convenience store giant 7-Eleven cuts prices on supersized, youth-attractive alcopops so they are cheaper than non-alcoholic energy drinks. While on average, alcopops were the same price per standard alcoholic drink as beer, supersized alcopops in 16- to 24-ounce cans were cheaper per standard drink than similarly sized beer. Some supersized alcopops, such as Four Loko and Mike’s Harder Lemonade, entice youth with more alcohol for the price than even similar sized malt liquor.

“Alcopops are just too good of a deal for kids to pass up,” said Holley Shafer, research analyst at Alcohol Justice and co-author of the new report, “Alcopops Cheaper than Energy Drinks: 7-Eleven Gambles with Children’s Lives.” Alcohol Justice surveyed all 7-Eleven stores in northern California’s Marin County, an area plagued with excessive youth alcohol consumption. “The availability of cheap single-serving supersized alcopops like Four Loko at 7-Eleven stores makes them even more compelling to youth than comparable non-alcoholic energy drinks,” added Shafer, “because young people already seeking the energy drink buzz are a vulnerable market for energy drinks‘ alcoholic cousins, alcopops.”
Source: Alcohol Justice, 05/16/12)

Die schottische Regierung hat bestätigt, einen Minimalpreis von 50 Pence pro Einheit einführen zu wollen. Die Gesundheitsministerin Nicola Sturgeon machte diese Ankündigung während eines Besuchs in der Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Dieser Ansatz wird 10 Pence höher sein, als der in England und Wales vorgesehene.
Die Labour Opposition will sich der Stimme enthalten, weil sie kritisiert, dass diese Lösung zusätzliche Millionengewinne für die Alkoholindustrie bringen würde, statt dass diese Mittel dem Staat zur Deckung der immensen alkoholbedingten Sozialkosten zufliessen würden. Die regierenden Nationalisten finden, das sei der Preis dafür, dass die Vorlage durchkommt, im Interesse der Bevölkerung.
(Quellen: bbc.co.uk, 05/14/12
Alcohol Policy UK, 05/14/12)

Kommentar: Immerhin ein Versuch. Nach sechs Jahren soll Bilanz gezogen werden. Wenn es keinen Erfolg gebracht hat, soll das Gesetz rückgängig gemacht werden. Die Kritik der Opposition ist natürlich sehr berechtigt. Das Volk muss sich von der Alkoholindustrie freikaufen, wenn es gesünder werden will. Darum wäre eine generelle Alkoholsteuer vorzuziehen. Aber in den meisten andern Ländern ist man nicht einmal so weit, obwohl die WHO dringend dazu aufruft.

June 27th, 2012 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Location: Rue Wiertz 60, European Parliament, Brussels, B 1047, Belgium

The current EU Alcohol Strategy is coming to an end in 2012. However Europe is still the world’s heaviest drinking region-

– Alcohol is the world’s number one risk factor for ill-health and premature death amongst the 25 – 59 year old age group, a core of the working age population

– Alcohol related harm is 1 of the 4 risk factors for developing NCDs such as cancer and cardiovascular disease

– Social costs attributable to alcohol account for €155.8 billion

Due to the size of the problem and universal impact this problem requires a comprehensive, coordinated response from policy and decision makers at the European and national levels

This event will build on the Call for Action from 88 health and social NGOs from across Europe and will be an opportunity to address the issue in the European Parliament to ensure continuation of the efforts to tackle alcohol related harm.

For more informaiton please contact Eurocare Secretariat, aleksandra.kaczmarek@eurocare.org

Thursday 28th June 2012, Stanhope Hotel, Brussels
Key Speakers
Prof. Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair, European Alcohol and Health Forum Science Group; Chair, UK Alcohol Health Alliance; President, Royal College of Physicians; Consultant Physician, Royal Liverpool University Hospitals
Mrs. Doris Sarrazin, Take Care Project, Germany

Alcohol consumption is a growing public health and social concern in the EU. Europe has the highest proportion of drinkers in the world, the highest levels of alcohol consumption per capita and a high level of alcohol-related harm. Accountable for over 7% of all ill-health and early deaths, even moderate alcohol consumption increases the long term risk of liver disease, cancer and heart conditions. Furthermore, harmful and hazardous consumption has a broader social impact such as violence, family problems, crime, social exclusion and low productivity at work. These, in turn, generate costs related to health care, law enforcement and public order, and workplaces, and thus have a negative impact on economic development and on society as a whole. …

This timely International Symposium seeks to harness actions which have been put in place to reduce alcohol-related harm and share good practices, as well as identify gaps where further progress can be made. Alcohol abuse is a complex issue that negatively impacts the wider community and it is essential for stakeholders to discuss the various intervention and prevention strategies. The Symposium is an invaluable opportunity to examine the latest initiatives at both EU and national levels and consider recommendations for future actions to reduce harmful effects of alcohol misuse.

Public Policy Exchange welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Delegates will:

Exchange best practices for alcohol-related prevention strategies
Share evidence-based experiences on prevention, intervention and improving access to services
Explore appropriate frameworks for multi-sectoral cooperation
Provide recommendations to the decision-makers and industry in Europe
Analyse existing cross-border projects to combat alcohol misuse in Europe

(Source: publicpolicyexchange.co.uk, 05/15/12)

Die SPD will in Hessen Tankstellen den nächtlichen Alkoholverkauf per Gesetz verbieten. Das CDU-geführte Innenministerium stimmte der Idee der Opposition entgegen dem Ritual im Landtag zu – bis der hr-Korrespondent nachfragte.

Fast jeder kennt vermutlich den Effekt, dass man Dinge doppelt sieht, wenn man zuviel Alkohol getankt hat. Im Landtag kann man nun auch bei klarem Kopf Dinge plötzlich doppelt sehen, wenn es um Alkohol geht.

Nüchtern betrachtet geht es um einen Gesetzentwurf zum Alkohol aus der Feder der SPD-Fraktion. Die Sozialdemokraten schätzen die Tankstelle als Quelle späten Trunks offenbar nicht. Also wollen sie das Ladenöffnungsgesetz ändern, damit Tankstellen, Kioske oder andere Verkaufsstellen zwischen 22 und 5 Uhr keinen Alkohol mehr verkaufen dürfen – ausgenommen landwirtschaftliche Betriebe oder Flughäfen. …
(Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 15.5.12) hr-online.de, 12.5.12

The Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced a 50 pence per unit target minimum through the Minimum Pricing Scotland Bill.
Announcing the decision, Nicola Sturgeon said:

„Too many Scots are drinking themselves to death. The problem affects people of all walks of life. It’s no coincidence that as affordability has increased, alcohol-related hospital admissions have quadrupled, and it is shocking that half of our prisoners now say they were drunk when they committed the offence… Introducing a minimum price per unit will enable us to tackle these problems, given the clear link between affordability and consumption.“

The Scottish government were recently reported to have agreed to a „sunset clause“ in the planned legislation, under a deal to win Conservative support. Minimum pricing will be ditched after six years if it fails to have an impact, which Sturgeon deemed „a perfectly reasonable and legitimate position to take.“ …
(Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 05/14/12)
see also: bbc.co.uk,

—results from an international study.
International comparisons of social inequalities in alcohol use have not been extensively investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of country-level characteristics and individual socio-economic status (SES) on individual alcohol consumption in 33 countries.

Data on 101 525 men and women collected by cross-sectional surveys in 33 countries of the GENACIS study were used. Individual SES was measured by highest attained educational level. Alcohol use measures included drinking status and monthly risky single occasion drinking (RSOD). The relationship between individuals’ education and drinking indicators was examined by meta-analysis. In a second step the individual level data and country data were combined and tested in multilevel models. As country level indicators we used the Purchasing Power Parity of the gross national income, the Gini coefficient and the Gender Gap Index. ….
(Source: Alcohol Reports, 05/11/12)

In Russland sollen nun die Lieferungen von Äthylalkohol über Navigationssatelliten überwacht werden. Für das Projekt zur Erarbeitung eines entsprechenden automatischen Systems sollen 97 Millionen Rubel (umgerechnet rund 2,5 Millionen Euro) ausgegeben werden, schreibt die russische Zeitung „Rossijskaja Gaseta“ am Samstag.

Diese Initiative der Behörde für die Regelung des Alkoholmarktes (Rosalkoholregulirowanije) soll dem unkontrollierten Alkohol-Transport ein Ende setzen, der Experten zufolge dazu führt, dass rund 40 Prozent der Alkoholproduktion auf dem russischen Markt illegal hergestellt wird. …
(Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 13.5.12) de.ria.ru, 12.5.12