www.alkoholpolitik.ch

The outspoken addictions Professor David Nutt has written a controversial piece claiming ‚There is no such thing as a safe level of alcohol consumption‘. Nutt asserts a number of factors to argue that the ‚myth of a safe level of drinking‘ has no real evidence. These include that alcohol is toxin which kills cells, that a small minority of people may become addicted to alcohol at first drink, and that the claimed cardiovascular benefits of moderate consumption have not sufficient proof. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 03/10/11)

For the first time in the European Parliament, the MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) interest group hosted a meeting to evaluate the cancer hazards of alcoholic beverages, and the potential impact of this knowledge on alcohol-related policy in order to address concerns over a lack of public awareness about the carcinogenicity of alcohol.
MEPs, scientists, representatives from cancer leagues in Europe, DG SANCO and NGOs all voiced their support for immediate action to raise awareness about the health risks of alcohol consumption, especially amongst young people, in relation to cancers of the pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, breast and colorectum.
Despite research dating back to 1987 that conclusively indicates the carcinogenicity of all alcoholic beverages, the connection between alcohol and cancer is often not made in consumer’s minds. On the contrary, a Eurobarometer report in 2010 found that 1 in 10 European citizens do not know that there is even a connection between alcohol and cancer. The same study also indicated that 1 in 5 citizens do not believe that there is a connection between cancer and the drinks that millions of us enjoy every week. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 12/10/10) europeancancerleagues.eu, 12/07/10

A telephone survey of parental attitudes and behaviours regarding teenage drinking
Irish teenagers demonstrate high rates of drunkenness and there has been a progressive fall in age of first drinking in recent decades. International research indicates that parents exert substantial influence over their teenager’s drinking. We sought to determine the attitudes and behaviours of Irish parents towards drinking by their adolescent children. …
Conclusions: We found no evidence of widespread permissive attitudes and behaviours among Irish parents. Given that parental influences have been demonstrated to exert substantial impact on teenage drinking, it may be possible to harness the concerns of Irish parents more effectively to reverse the trends of escalating alcohol related harm in Ireland. (Source: BMC Public Health 2010, 10:297doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-297, Published: 1 June 2010)

With substance abuse now accounting for one in 14 hospital admissions and generating billions in health care costs, leading scientists held a briefing on Capitol Hill to present the evidence that we already have and the evidence we need in treating and preventing the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. …
„Yet researchers have generated considerable evidence on the effectiveness of policies including minimum drinking ages, a tougher approach to drunk driving, and raising alcohol taxes,“ he said.
For example, there is evidence that increasing alcohol taxes to keep pace with inflation would lead to a 19 percent reduction in heavy drinking by youth and a 6 percent reduction in high-risk drinking. Research also has shown that simply changing licensing provisions and modifying hours of service at establishments that sell alcohol can have a significant effect on drinking and drinking-related problems. … (Source: Medical News Today, 10/5/09) Comment: Let’s hope politicians open their ears.