Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

News & updates Aug 2013: Olympics alcohol impact; alcohol stats at risk; Drink Driving rise; trade news & more





 
Here's some of the recent news happening over the last month or so: 

The 2012 London Olympics had no significant impact on alcohol related harms, a report published by the Centre for Public Health says. See a PHE press releasewhich states 'the findings can be used in the future to support the use of interventions such as restricted advertising and controlled pricing strategies in event planning'.
Annual alcohol statistics could get the chop as part of programme of possible cuts being drawn up by the Office of National Statistics, a Guardian article reports. An ONS response has said that a consultation on the possible options will be released shortly, emphasising no decisions have been made.
Six out of seven supermarkets sell alcohol below cost, equating to 220 million litres a year, according to a parliamentary statement. The ALMR's Kate Nicholls of the called on the Government to take firm action on "supermarket irresponsibility".
Drink drive deaths may have increased by 25% in 2012, preliminary Government figures suggest - see BBC report. A Guardian datablog feature explores the trends behind the figures.
Channel 4 and other TV companies have been issued warnings for breaching advertising codes to prevent under 18's advert exposure, theIndependent reports. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) code says an alcohol advertisement restriction should be applied when the number of 10 to 15-year-olds watching are 20 per cent over-represented.
A piece on the rise and fall of the alcopop was featured by the BBC. It looks at the rise of 'Ready To Drink' market, how they became synonymous with 90's 'binge drinking', and industry and media reactions.
One NHS hospital will offer some private patients alcohol, according to the Telegraph. The private patient unit is part of a project to increase hospital revenue, but a Trust official said the policy would be kept under review.
'Hangovers can make you stupid' is how the Telegraph has reported new research that explores how the after effects impact on memory and other brain functions.
Trade A-pint-of-beer-outside-a--001
Plans to introduce beer duty stamps have been abandoned, report the Morning Advertiser. Aconsultation last year claimed it would save £500 million in duty fraud, but the cost to the brewing industry was considered to big. 
Green shoots may be appearing for the pub industry, say an ALMR report. It reports the first positive growth across indicators 'since the sector was hit by the perfect storm of smoking ban, consumer confidence crash and recession'.
A Councilor has resigned over claims that the licensing process is bias, with decisions often made on personality - see Morning Advertiser report. Also an ex-licensee, Joe O'Riordan said the old system of Magistrates making decisions was fairer.
Blogs & comment
The charity Mentor UK have written a response to the decision on MUP, and blogs on alcohol prevention. Mentor state alcohol is the missing component of the new science curriculum and highlight that England won’t be part of the EU majority that require school based alcohol prevention.
Public Health England's Professor Kevin Fenton has written about the opportunities and challenges facing local authorities in addressing drug and alcohol misuse.

Scotland
Scottish Labour are expected to propose new action on alcohol to the Scottish Parliament this year, reports the Scotsman. Proposals include a focus on new local initiatives such as tagging bottles, cracking down on adverts near schools and banning tonic wines high in caffeine. However some of the proposals, such as tougher enforcement measures, have previously been adopted but questioned in England.
As part of a new 'Community Alcohol Partnership' (CAP), supermarkets will train smaller shops on preventing underage sales - BBC report.