ar-newsletter

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

In this issue:
News: Alcohol-violence link acknowledged; Tax rise return in Lithuania; UK adds up societal costs; Oregon itemises treatment shortfall: Ontario “boozedoggle”costed; Bihar’s prohibition payoffs; US alcohol levels remain elevated; Alcohol banned at the French Open tennis
Meme stocks: Distilled alcohol messages

Alcohol Review’s first annual conference will be on Thursday November 14th. Early-bird discounts available

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In this issue: UK alcohol health policy door open; Annual alcohol deaths globally; Labels work; Indian widowhood often linked to alcohol; Ghana’s celeb ad ban upheld.
Opinion England’s absurd official beer ad brings home the need for regulation, argues Alcohol Review’s editor.
Alcohol messages
A few recent shareable posts highlighting some key alcohol information.

Invitation: Alcohol Review’s first annual conference will be online on Thursday November 14th. Early-bird discounts available

News
UK alcohol health policy door open: None of the UK election manifestos made specific mention of alcohol health policy but Labour, the likely winner of the July 4th election, leaves the door open to taking action. It pledges to take “preventative public health measures” to tackle the“biggest killers” when UK alcohol deaths remain at near record levels. 

Annual alcohol deaths globally: There are 2.6m deaths a year worldwide attributable to alcohol consumption, with three-quarters of the dead being men, says a new WHO report. Nearly two-thirds of these alcohol deaths are from noncommunicable diseases, with 18% of the total from cardiovascular disease and 15% from cancer. 

Labels work: Well designed labels carrying rotating messages on alcohol’s adverse health effects are likely to be “particularly effective” in changing consumption behaviour, found a new comprehensive research review.

Indian widowhood often linked to alcohol: Nearly 40% of widows in Tamil Nadu linked their widowhood to the alcohol addiction of their deceased spouse, said a report from the Indian state’s Widows and Destitute Women Welfare Association.

Ghana’s celeb ad ban upheld: Ghana’s Supreme Court this month dismissed a challenge to a law banning celebrities from advertising alcohol.

Feature
England’s absurd beer ad brings home need for regulation
The wisdom of making Euro 2024 a beer marketing bonanza should surely be questioned when alcohol deaths are still 30% above pre-pandemic levels in the UK and elsewhere, argues Alcohol Review’s editor Phil Cain.

Alcohol messages
A few recent shareable posts highlighting some key alcohol information
NEW: Less alcohol means fewer mistakes #2
NEW: QR codes hide alcohol information
NEW: Alcohol kills twice as many men as women
NEW: Drinking less alcohol means fewer mistakes #1
Archive: Full list of alcohol messages 

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Find this service useful?
Please join the Alcohol Review‘s supporters who make it possible

In this issue: Dementia experts back alcohol price control; Dismay at wellbeing charity alcohol deal; Spain drafts framework to protect minors; German beer market 8% alcohol-free; Indian surrogate ad rules near

Alcohol messages
A few recent shareable posts highlighting some key alcohol messages.

Invitation: Alcohol Review’s first annual conference will be online on Thursday November 14th. Early-bird discounts available

News
Lancet experts recommend alcohol price controls to combat dementia. Alcohol price controls should be among the steps used to reduce high alcohol consumption to prevent or delay two out of five dementia cases, says a new report from a Lancet commission. [Comment]

Men’s wellbeing charity’s alcohol partnership sparks dismay. Public health professionals have expressed disappointment at a partnership between the UK Men’s Sheds Association, which supports social and creative community spaces, and alcohol multinational Diageo.
[Comment]

Spain drafts framework to protect minors. Spain’s health minister presented a draft law to establish a framework to protect the health of minors and ‘promote responsible alcohol consumption in society’.

German beer market now 8% alcohol-free: Alcohol-free beer made up under 8% of total beer production in Germany, having doubled in volume over the last ten years. In the UK it is more like 1-2%. The impact on alcohol harm is unclear, but some researchers plan to learn more.

India finalising surrogate ad rules: India’s Department of Consumer Affairs within weeks of publishing draft rules on surrogate ads for alcohol and tobacco, according to local media.

Alcohol messages
A few recent shareable posts highlighting some key alcohol information:
NEW: Alcohol Review 0.0 – an alcohol-free sub-brand can be used to promote the main alcohol brand
NEW: Alcohol undermines our nerve
Archive: Full list of alcohol messages 

Find this service useful?
Please join the Alcohol Review‘s supporters who make it possible