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In this issue: Scant affordability progress; US deaths surge on; Guidelines skip specifics; No-lo scrutiny call; Alcohol-free access; UK impact honours; Alcohol-free health minister. Opinion: Put alternative activities above alternative drinks
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News
Scant affordability progress: Alcohol products were as affordable or became more affordable in most countries over the last few years, when evidence shows that reducing affordability is a crucial step to curbing alcohol harm, found a WHO report released yesterday. Share and discuss
US deaths surge on: US deaths directly attributable to alcohol are likely to have been at least 11% above the pre-pandemic level last year, extrapolating provisional figures from the CDC. Provisional totals tend to increase over time. Share and discuss
Specifics skipped: The Trump administration last week advised Americans to “consume less alcohol for better overall health” while dropping specific low-risk amounts from its guidance after 35 years. Alcohol harm experts had recommended the low-risk amount should be halved for men. Share and discuss
No-lo scrutiny call: “We should not take market-led solutions to public health problems at face value,” wrote a group of prominent alcohol harm researchers this week. And we should discount no-los as a solution until there’s evidence, argues AR. Share and discuss
Alcohol-free access: Separately the UK government said it will “explore measures to regulate access to no- and low-alcohol products in line with other alcoholic beverages”. This may include prohibiting sales to under-18s. Share and discuss
UK impact honours:The UK’s New Year’s Honours list today recognised six people working to reduce the impact of alcohol harm, a former frontbench Labour MP, a family judge and four public health directors. Share and discuss
Alcohol free health minister: Luxembourg’s health minister defended the government’s endorsement of the Dry January, having given up alcohol on taking the job. Share and discuss
Feature
Cutting down? Put alternative activities above alternative drinks
Alcohol-free drinks will not fill the gap left by omitting alcohol, so we should look to alternative activities instead. Share and discuss
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