This week BBC Radio 4's In Our Time told the story of the Temperance movement in Britain which is said to have really got going in 1832 in Preston. It provides fascinating insight into where we find ourselves now, where we have moved forward and where the debate has become frozen in time. You can … [Read more...] about Temperance, unfinished history
Not drinking is pure hedonism
Taking an alcohol break, as many are doing now, can be seen as a step towards a purposeful pursuit of pure pleasure, or hedonism, instead of a spartan act of self-denial. Maximising pleasure is more than giving ourselves a series of nice feelings. Otherwise we might simply lie around all the time … [Read more...] about Not drinking is pure hedonism
The year in alcohol
The world continued to bump its way through the covid pandemic, with alcohol playing a fringe role in public discussion, despite inflicting a far heavier death toll than before. The year ended with the discovery that the US suffered a mystery 26% increase in alcohol-induced deaths last year, … [Read more...] about The year in alcohol
Some young Nigerians say heavy drinking is fun: controls must keep pace with culture
by Emeka Dumbili, Lecturer, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Alcohol consumption has a long history in Nigeria, especially in the southern region, where it was not forbidden by religion. In the past, only adult men were culturally allowed to drink. It was taboo for young people to drink alcohol … [Read more...] about Some young Nigerians say heavy drinking is fun: controls must keep pace with culture
Why I wrote a second alcohol book
One book on alcohol is enough, surely? Well, not quite, which is the reason I recently put out Alcohol for Nerds, a slim compilation of self-contained pieces on alcohol. Here’s why. The alcohol science presented in Alcohol Companion produced many useful answers, at least for me. But it also … [Read more...] about Why I wrote a second alcohol book
[summary] The impact of minimum unit pricing in Wales | Government Social Research
Key points Just under 2m adults in Wales drink alcohol, averaging 610 units a year, costing £607 Almost three quarters them drink within the UK guidelines of 14 units a week Nevertheless around 777 deaths and 35,637 hospital admissions are directly caused by alcohol Blood pressure accounts … [Read more...] about [summary] The impact of minimum unit pricing in Wales | Government Social Research