YLE News (Finland) - Mystery shopping project reveals more ID-checks
Retailers are becoming stricter in asking for identification from younger customers of alcoholic beverages. This is revealed by a mystery shopping project in April jointly organised by local government authorities and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Telegraph.co.uk (Latvia) - Latvian coin featuring beer mug 'amounts to hidden alcohol advertising'
A new Latvian coin featuring a beer mug on one side has sparked a spat between the country's health ministry and central bank amid accusations it amounts to hidden alcohol advertising.
EUCAM (Lithuania) - Industry declares war on proposed alcohol advertising ban in Lithuania
In 2008 the Lithuanian Parliament accepted an amendment to the Alcohol Control Law that would install a comprehensive ban on alcohol advertising in the year 2012. Now with only 6 months left the pressure to withdraw the ban is steadily rising. The alcohol industry has stepped up its lobbying activities and politicians are backing out.
Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (Iceland) - Alcohol-related mishaps on weekends in Reykjavík
In Iceland rules and regulations regarding bars and restaurants were changed 1999–2008. In 1999, round-the-clock opening was introduced. However, the regulations on the serving of alcohol were somewhat restricted again in 2001. In 2007 a smoking ban was implemented by law in all restaurants and bars.
Views and News from Norway (Norway) - Research claims alcoholism is genetic
A joint Norwegian-American report claims that 71 percent of alcoholics have inherited the condition genetically, a far higher total than expected or previously put forward.
TIME - Driving While Buzzed: No Amount of Alcohol Is Safe Behind the Wheel
The blood-alcohol limit in the U.S. is 0.08% — a cutoff that implies that any blood-alcohol content (BAC) south of 0.08% is safe, or at least not illegal.
Reuters - Too much alcohol linked to pneumonia risk
Heavy drinkers more often end up in the hospital with pneumonia than those who go easy on the alcohol, suggests a new study from Denmark.
BBC News (UK) - People over 65 should drink less, a report says
Recommended safe limits for drinking alcohol by older people should be drastically cut, according to a report. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says people over 65 should drink a maximum of only 1.5 units of alcohol a day.
ABC Online (Australia) - Should Australia's legal drinking age be 21?
An inquiry into the impact of Western Australia's booze culture has sparked calls for Australia's legal drinking age to be raised to 21.
Times of India - Power, alcohol make you drop guard
A study from the Kellogg School, Northwestern University, shows how diverse domains of power, alcohol intoxication and anonymity, produce similarly paradoxical social behaviours - for better or worse.
EurActiv (EU) - Policymakers mull EU alcohol marketing law
Alcohol consumption among young people increases as a result of advertising campaigns and the EU should promote more responsible marketing, stakeholders agreed this week. But responsibility for dealing with the issue lies with member states and the European Commission has no intention of harmonising legislation in this regard.
Medscape - 'Robust' Features of Alcohol Dependence Identified
Diagnosing lifetime history of alcohol dependence (LTH-AD) disorder can be challenging, but new research identifies specific factors that may help improve diagnostic reliability.
Deccan Herald (EU) - 'Men more at risk than women to die early for alcohol abuse'
Men are twice as likely as women to die before 65 because of smoking and alcohol abuse, a new European Union study has found.
24 Hours Vancouver (Russia/Baltics) - Vodka culture takes its toll
Russia and its neighboring Baltic and Balkan countries have the highest alcohol consumption per capital of anywhere in the world. In these regions, alcoholism is so prevalent among men that as a group it lowers their life expectancy considerably.
Business Daily Africa (Kenya) – Time to cast tax net wider to rope in new ‘sins’
As many Kenyans tighten their belts in this harsh economy, most are not likely to reduce their ‘sin’ spending as much as they may cut on other household budgets. I am of the view that the multiplier effect of extensively high sin taxes can actually cause malnutrition.
New Zealand Herald (New Zealand) - Alcohol damage a national crisis, group tells PM
The Prime Minister has been asked to take a fresh look at alcohol and lead a change in the nation's heavy drinking culture following this month's highly publicised King's College ball.
Malaysia Star (Malaysia) - Equitable tax will help reduce alcohol harm
KUALA Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall secretary- general Yong Yew Wei, speaking at a seminar in Kuala Lumpur to launch the “Promote a Healthy Lifestyle, Reduce Alcohol Harm” campaign on May 22, claimed Malaysia was ranked the world’s 10th largest consumer of alcohol, with spendings of over US$500mil.
The Local.de (Germany) - Hessian official wants alcohol ban during football matches
Hesse’s interior minister wants to crack down on drunken hooligans who disrupt sporting events. But his prescription is likely to rankle beer-loving Germans: A total alcohol ban in football stadiums and public transportation taking fans there.
EUCAM - Monitoring Alcohol Marketing in Africa - MAMPA Project
The study on alcohol marketing was commissioned by the WHO Regional Office for Africa in 2010 and its findings generated data on alcohol advertising and promotion in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia. The content of advertisements and marketing styles appeal to young people. The results underline the need for countries to strengthen policy and legislation to restrict alcohol marketing.
