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Alcohol and Youth in Africa, Asia and Europe
Also in this issue:

Alcohol Policy Youth Network / Nigerian Alcohol Prevention Youth Initiative / The IFMSA and the European Alcohol and Health Forum / Jyothirgamaya: Spreading the light of awareness by Ms Deepa Nair / “Alcohol-free Boat Races: the role of youth networks and social campaigns to change social attitudes on alcohol” / Alcohol and the young brain: girls at especial risk? / Teenage alcohol consumption associated with computer use / Alcohol and Unsafe Sex / Cigarette and alcohol use at historic low among US teens / Transatlantic Cooperation to combat underage drinking

Addressing harmful use of alcohol is essential to realising the goals of the UN Resolution on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) And many other actual items, e.g.:
UNITED NATIONS ADOPT POLITICAL DECLARATION ON NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
GAPA gives qualified Welcome to the Declaration
Conflict of Interest Coalition Statement of Concern
Alcohol consumption guidelines ‘inadequate for cancer prevention’: “No level of alcohol consumption without risk”
The Size and Burden of Mental Disorders and Other Disorders of the Brain in Europe – “It’s worse than we thought”
Valuable alcohol resource free to good home
Health Officials Advocate Measures to Curb Harmful Use of Alcohol in the Americas
(Source: ias.org.uk)

The consumption of alcohol makes a significant contribution to alcohol related harm globally. In emerging markets and among younger groups increased consumption is apparent. Effective policy is not implemented as widely as is needed. A concerted effort in controlling alcohol related harm is greatly needed and will involve multiple partners, including academia, civil society organizations and government bodies. Global cooperation can play a significant role in supporting and complementing worldwide national and local actions. …
The Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2011 is jointly organized by government, intergovernmental and the NGO sector. The Thai Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization, the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation are co hosts of the Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2011. … (Source: Alcohol Reports, 5/9/11)

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.

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

Geneva, 20 June 2010. At its sixty-third World Health Assembly, the 193 Member States of the World Health Organization have adopted, in a consensus vote, the eagerly awaited Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.
In the two-hour long debate at the Assembly, all member states acknowledged the harmful use of alcohol as a major public health issue. In the many member state interventions, delegates pointed to the global aspects of the problem and requested that alcohol problems receive a higher priority at the WHO and that more resources be allocated to address those problems and to implement the new global strategy.
The important concerns identified in the debate included the increasing culture of binge drinking among young people worldwide, and the expanding influence of the alcohol marketing and advertising. Delegates welcomed the varied evidence-based measures included in the strategy and their potential for successfully addressing alcohol problems.
The resolution was adopted with one amendment proposed by Thailand on behalf of the SEARO countries asking for adequate financial and human resources for implementation (inserted in par. 4 (1)).
The WHO estimates that in 2004, 2.5 million people worldwide died of alcohol-related causes (mainly heart and liver disease, road accidents, suicides and various cancers), representing 3.8 % of all deaths and 4,6% of the global burden of disease.
The harmful use of alcohol has a serious effect on public health and is considered to be one of the main risk factors for poor health globally, the strategy document says.
The resolution calls on the member states of the WHO to take public policy measures to reduce the harmful consumption of alcohol. It highlights the effectiveness of focusing on policies regarding pricing, availability and marketing of alcohol.
However the recommendations in the Strategy are not binding, they are meant to serve as guidance to WHO’s Member States.
Mariann Skar, Secretary General of Eurocare stated “We warmly welcome the decision by the WHA to adopt a global strategy on alcohol. This is a key starting point in addressing the global threat to public health and social wellbeing represented by the harmful use of alcohol” and she added “Europe has a strong position and responsibility, being the world’s leader on alcohol consumption and an important exporter of alcoholic beverages“. She regretted that „we are exporting our drinking practices and norms to countries that lack the capability and capacity to meet the additional public health burden that results from them”.
The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) has as well welcomed the decision by the World Health Assembly, it’s chairman, Derek Rutherford said: „Concerted action to reduce global alcohol problems is long overdue. Today’s decision by the World Health Assembly is an important first step to address them. The strategy goes a long way in recognizing the transnational aspects of the alcohol issue. GAPA appreciates the wide range of supportive statements by WHO member states from both developed and developing countries in the discussion.“ (Source: Eurocare, 5/23/10)

On the cover of this issue: Global Alcohol Strategy on the right track
Also in this issue:
* Draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol – Summary of Report
* Swedish Presidency – Major Alcohol Conference in Stockholm
* EU Alcohol Strategy makes a promising start
* GAPA Board meets in Sweden
* European Economic and Social Committee calls for statutory controls on alcohol marketing Self-regulation ‘not enough’, etc. All articles online

Carlsberg’s breach of its code of conduct. Carlsberg, the Danish beer giant, has been heavily criticised for its marketing practices in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world, which has numerous alcohol problems. Kaliber, a Swedish National Radio programme known for its well researched journalism, aired last weekend a program about alcohol consumption in Malawi and the role of the international alcohol industries, especially Carlsberg. Listen to the program (in Swedish).
A brief summary is available in English. (Source: Eurocare Newsletter April/May 09 and Øystein Bakke, GAPA

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During the Fourth National Conference on Alcohol organised by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation in Bangkok in December 2008 a special award from the Royal Thai Government was given to Derek Rutherford, we just learned from the new „>THE GLOBE, where we can read the citation given by Professor Udomsilp Srisangnam. Our hearty congratulations to our friend Derek!

On the cover of this issue: * GAPA Chairman receives “Lifetime Achievement Award”
Also in this issue:
* Editorial. Advocacy for The Global Alcohol Strategy – The Task for NGOs
* Progress on Global Alcohol Strategy
* New Zealand Government supports Global Alcohol Strategy
* Chief Medical Officer for England calls for Minimum Pricing of Alcohol
* Action for a Sober South Africa
* Intoxicating Brands: Alcohol Advertising and Youth
* New Products for New Drinkers
* Report suggests affordability of alcohol is a driver of consumption and harm
* Conference on the prevention of alcohol-related harm in East Africa
etc. THE GLOBE is available online here.

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