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In this issue: UK cuts taxes fuelling alcohol harm; Japan lays out draft guidelines; Ghanaian civil society supports celeb ad ban; Ireland’s 9pm ad ban begins 2025

UK cuts tax fuelling surge in alcohol harm: The UK government this week made another real terms cut in alcohol tax, despite surging alcohol harm, with alcohol deaths last year 27% above pre-pandemic levels in 2021. It is “utterly frustrating news”, said Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance. An early tip-off of the decision to the Sun tabloid and alcohol industry meant almost no criticism was heard.

Japan lays out draft guidelines: Japan set out a draft for its first low risk alcohol guidelines of 50ml a day for men and 225ml for women. They also say, “It is important to keep alcohol intake as low as possible.” The UK guidelines are 20ml a day for both men and women. More research is needed on risk acceptability, said a new commentary.

Ghanaian civil society supports celeb ad ban: Civil society actors in Ghana support the Food and Drugs Authority’s position to ban alcohol advertisements by celebrities which is currently being challenged in court.

Ireland’s 9pm ad ban begins 2025: A ban on alcohol ads appearing on TV in Ireland before 9pm will come into effect on January 10th 2025, the Department of Health said.

In this issue: Alcohol deaths hit record high in England; Study to see alcohol-free impact on young; Bingeing plus genetics multiply liver risk; Sperm impact longer than expected

Alcohol deaths hit record high in England

Alcohol-specific deaths rose 4.6% in 2022 in England and Wales, reaching the highest level on record, according to estimates from alcohol expert Colin Angus. The 36% rise since before the pandemic is higher than the alcohol death rises seen in Australia (30%) and the US (31%). Official figures are expected in February. Read more

Study to see alcohol-free impact on young

An Australian project will investigate the impact of promoting and using zero-alcohol drinks on young people’s perceptions and behaviour towards full strength alcohol. It will aim to find out if they act as a gateway to alcohol use or alcohol brand loyalty. Read more

Bingeing plus genetics multiply liver risk

People who binge drink and have a certain genetic makeup are six times more likely to develop alcohol-related cirrhosis says a new study. Read more

Sperm impact longer than expected

A father’s sperm is negatively impacted by alcohol drinking even during the withdrawal process, meaning it takes much longer than we previously thought for the sperm to return to normal, according to a new study. Read more 

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In this issue: Olympics strikes first global beer deal; Local alcohol levies mooted; Pope issues wine reminder; Smaller glasses cut drinking; US alcohol deaths state-by-state; and more

Olympic beer deal: The Olympics’ first ever global beer promotion deal drew sharp criticism from a range of UK health advocates, including the Association of Directors of Public Health. The deal to promote beer brands at the next two Olympics covers all brands in AB InBev’s portfolio, Alcohol Review was told. The Olympics organiser said the beer branding will not be seen in the field of play and will initially revolve around the Corona Cero alcohol-free brand, a modified version of the 4.5% brand. At the LA games in 2028 the emphasis will switch to the 3.5% Michelob Ultra brand, marketed as low calorie.

Local levies: Local levies on alcohol and other unhealthy products could raise funds and reduce inequality, said the left-leaning UK think tank IPPR in a new report. Such levies would top up £3bn funding from a Health Creation Fund, with poorer areas where unhealthy outlets cluster able to raise more money. Scottish Labour said earlier in the month that it is backing an alcohol levy.

Papal whine: Pope Francis was reported to have reminded Italian wine producers of their moral and ethical responsibilities, while reassuring them their product is a “gift from God”. His reminder may relate to the Italian industry being at the vanguard of resistance to nutrition and ingredients labels.

Glass ceiling: A study removing the largest glass of wine from sale in pubs cut the total amount of alcohol consumed by 7.6%, while income remained the same. One commentator suggested huge glasses are naff anyway, while another felt the discussion was a sure sign a full ban on alcohol is nigh.

US deaths state-by-state: Alcohol Review published a table of rises in US alcohol-induced deaths by state, using provisional CDC figures. They range from Mississippi with an 85% rise and New Jersey with 11%. PBS this month talked to the author of a new four-part series in the Denver Post on how alcohol has not been treated with the same urgency as opioids. Colorado, the CDC data says, is in the middle with a 32% in deaths.

Conflicted again: The US organisation assembling a committee to assess evidence for an update to alcohol guidelines has picked a Harvard professor with financial ties to the alcohol industry, having recently backtracked on the appointment of two people with such ties.

AI ageing: The UK government is considering the use of age assurance technologies, including age estimation to decide  if an individual is old enough to purchase age restricted products like alcohol.

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In this issue: Thailand moots graphic labels; Lithuania mulls tax rise; Nigeria suspends sachet ban; Risky drinkers not listening: “Dire consequences” expected; Cricket captain promotes alcohol free spirit

Thai label: A proposed graphic warning on alcohol will cover at least one-third of the container and include messages like “Alcoholic beverages can cause cancer” and “Selling alcoholic beverages to people under 20 is punishable by imprisonment and a fine”.

Tax raising: Lithuania’s Finance Ministry has proposed raising excise duties on alcohol implemented for three consecutive years, starting in 2025. Together with tobacco tax increase it is estimated to raise a total of €126.7m.

Sachet suspension: A Nigerian House of Representatives Committee ordered the suspension of a ban on sale of spirits and alcoholic drinks in sachets and pet bottles after a series of protests.

Not listening: Heavy drinkers rated a WHO message on the risk of alcohol-related health problems as less believable than lower risk drinkers. They were also both more fearful of it while wanting to think about it less, while also feeling less at risk.

Hurry up: There will be “dire consequences” for low and middle income countries if governments do not act speedily t enact effective alcohol policies, experts warned.

Preparedness value: A new “alcohol preparedness index” puts a number on the robustness of alcohol-related public health policies in 169 countries. Europe achieved the highest score with 77, while Africa had the lowest score with 39.

Cricket champion: Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins became the global ambassador of non-alcoholic spirit brand Lyre’s.

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Alcohol understanding for all

In this issue: UK council bars alcohol ads; Thai deregulation proposed; Health warnings work; Latvia’s age limit may increase; UK cuts alcohol tax again despite record deaths

UK council bars ads: Sheffield council in north England barred alcohol products and alcohol-free drinks carrying alcohol brands from advertising on its billboards and other media. This prompted an industry rep to launch a personal attack on a council official and a trade journal editor to argue branding is a “conspiracy theory”. Separately, a report showed that 16 of the 20 local authorities with the highest levels of “deaths of despair” are in the north of England.

Thai deregulation: Thailand’s cabinet this week agreed on five bills to amend the alcohol regulations, extending retail hours and allowing greater leeway for ads. Campaigners submitted an open letter opposing the move. Last month a graphic label was proposed warning, “Alcoholic beverages can cause cancer”.

Warnings work: Health warning labels detailing the link between alcohol and cancer were linked to lower product appeal, higher risk perceptions and lower intentions to try, buy and binge the product.

Age limit: The Social and Labour Affairs Committee of Latvia’s parliament backed amendments increasing the minimum age for buying alcohol from 18 to 20.

Irresponsibility okayed: The South Korean government is reducing the penalties for alcohol retailers which sell alcohol to minors if they were deceived.

Heart harm: Young to middle-aged women who reported drinking 90ml or more of alcohol a week were more likely to develop coronary heart disease, a study found.

Tax cuts: The UK extended its real-terms cut on alcohol tax for six months, ignoring calls for a rise to stem the country’s record level of alcohol deaths. Canada did similar.

Price rises: Assam in North East India announced a rise in alcohol prices from April 1st to boost government revenue and reduce alcohol harm. Ukraine said it will increase alcohol tax too. 

Colorado bill: A bill unveiled in the Colorado legislature suggested levying a fee on businesses which produce alcoholic products, using the proceeds to fund addiction treatment and recovery programmes.

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In this issue

News: Industry education opposed; UK deaths surged on; Youth drinking survey; Alcohol-free beer goes country…
Feature: A health conscious life should be more carefree, argues editor Phil Cain
Memes: Some serious points made digestible