Vol. 23 No. 4 September 2008 Contents (Click on an item/ page no. to be taken directly to your choice of article) News from around the world 2 • Home Office leaflet encourages responsible Articles: alcohol consumption for 18-24 year olds • UK study finds some radio presenters encourage Scotland’s radical alcohol policy agenda provokes 16 national debate in UK 3 drinking culture • Guidance for GP alcohol ‘Direct Enhanced Commentary on alcohol and cancer by Service’ in UK Harvey E. Finkel, MD 6 • BIIAB hails Tesco’s training initiatives 17 More about white wines and their contents by • ‘Safe. Social. Sensible’ conference Gordon J. Troup 7 • Diageo launch DVD on dealing with underage Medical News drinkers • UK adults of parenting age drink to unwind • Discussions concerning alcohol as an • Ireland: Garda sieze alcoholic drinks following independent protective lifestyle factor 8 the introduction of new powers 18 • Frequent alcohol consumption may increase • EC Share access to public health videos endometrial cancer risk in older women 9 • French campaign to highlight the risks of alcohol • Binge drinkers forget negative events during consumption during pregnancy binge drinking • Legal drinking age for wine and beer likely to be • Adherence to mediterranean diet reduces risk of raised in France 19 major chronic diseases 10 • Eurocare launch new website • Benefits to the heart of moderate alcohol consumption vary depending on lifestyle 11 • French wine industry lobbies for more freedom • US consumption trends 20 Social and Policy News • Unit-check website for students to be extended • Whisky marketing passes responsibility audit 5 in UK • WSWA promotes responsible tailgating 21 • New school year in US and talking to teens about • UK Transport Police appeal to football fans to underage drinking drink responsibly • UK Alcohol industry Alliance to champion • 12% of deaths among American Indians and healthy consumption 11 Alaska Natives are alcohol-related • BBPA respond to BMA assertion that the • Launch of caffeine alcoholic energy drink ‘sensible majority are willing to pay more for bad postponed 22 minority’ and report on difficulties faced by the • US middle-schoolers and alcohol: Tips for 13 on trade parents from the science inside alcohol project at • British Liver Trust - new leaflet on ‘Alcohol and AAAS Liver Disease’ • College presidents seek debate on drinking age 23 • UK Government identifies types of ‘problem • UMass claims success with social-norms drinker’ ahead of new alcohol campaign 14 campaign • Investigation launched into underage drinking • New Zealand booklet raises awareness of alcohol habits issues in older people 24 • The Drinkers Alliance launch new website in UK 15 • Australian define intoxication guidelines • Alcohol supplement in UK daily newspaper • Australia – Melbourne night club lockout www.aim-digest.com www.drinkingandyou.com NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Scotland Ireland AIM Digest PO Box 2282 MSPs considered a petition on the A group of psychiatrists has called BATH, BA1 2QY, UK 23rd September signed by 10,000 for a complete ban on all alcohol T: +44 (0)1225 471444 people saying Scotland’s proposal advertising and sponsorship in F: +44 (0)1225 427444 to raise the off trade purchase age Ireland. E: [email protected] in Scotland discriminates against Psychiatrist Dr Bobby Smyth of Web sites: www.aim-digest.com young people. www.drinkingandyou.com the Irish College of Psychiatrists, The Coalition Against Raising the Annual Subscription to AIM: speaking at the publication of a GBP £ 600- Drinking Age in Scotland (Cardas) policy paper commented: USD $1,200- thinks criminalising 18 to 21-year- “A recent report by the Office of Euro 900- olds would not change attitudes to Tobacco Control revealed that our Corporate Subscription Levels: drinking. 16-17-year-olds spend €20.09 per Silver GBP 1,500- Labour, the Liberal Democrats and week on alcohol. This amounts to USD $3,000- the Conservatives have all come an illegal alcohol market of €145 Euro 2,300- out against raising the off-licence million in this country and as a Gold GBP £3,000- purchase age and the student USD $5,000- society we seem to be accepting this Euro 4,500- representative on the SNP’s national as ‘normal’,” he said. Platinum level available on request. executive, Caroline Henderson, is However, the Drinks Industry against it. However, the Scottish Please contact Sherry.Webster@aim- Group of Ireland said yesterday digest.com for information about AIM’s Government believes raising the there was a sharp decline in alcohol sponsorship levels. age has worked well in Scandinavia consumption during the first half of Please make cheques/drafts in British and in the three places in Scotland this year. An analysis of excise receipts pounds sterling, dollars or Euros payable where it has been tried, Armadale, from the Revenue Commissioners to AIM Digest at the above address Stenhousemuir and Coupar. The reveals sales of alcohol were down government’s under-21s sales ban Peter Duff – Chairman, 14% last month, compared with T: +44 (0)1225 471444 is part of a number of measures August 2007 and fell by 7% during E: [email protected] to cut alcohol-fuelled crime and the first eight months of the year. health problems, including setting a Helena Conibear – Executive Director, The group’s chairman Michael T: +44 (0)1300 341601 minimum price for alcoholic drinks Patten predicted the decline would E: [email protected] in an attempt to stop cut-price continue. Alison Rees - Deputy Editor alcohol deals. The move has been E: [email protected] backed by members of Scotland’s Sherry Webster – Finance and medical profession. Administration Director T: +44 (0)1225 471444 UK E: [email protected] People could be given the power allowed licensing boards to consider to object to alcohol licensing the impact on public health of any The publisher takes reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of quotations and other applications on public health new off licences, pubs or clubs. information contained herein, but is not grounds under a radical plan from a Licensing laws in England and responsible for any errors or omissions. commission charged with improving Opinions and recommendations quoted Wales do not allow for specific herein are usually excerpted, digested or health in Liverpool. public health considerations. condensed, may be edited for continuity, The ‘Health is Wealth’ commission But the commission believes the and are only part of the opinions and recommendations expressed in the original proposes the introduction of government’s commitment to tackle sources, which should be consulted for community licensing forums as part alcohol-related crime and disorder details. of a 12-point plan to improve public means there is scope to act. © AIM Digest 2001. All rights reserved. health in the North West. The commission was established Material may be reproduced with attribution to AIM. Such forums have already been by the University of Liverpool as Published by: AIM Digest, established in Scotland since a contribution to the city’s year as PO Box 2282, BATH, BA1 2QY. changes to the law there in 2005 European Capital of Culture. AIM DIGEST PAGE ARTICLES Scotland’s radical alcohol policy agenda provokes national debate in UK The Scottish government’s programme for 2008/09 Diageo stated that the Scottish government offered ‘no Consultation on the Scottish governments discussion evidence’ to support its view that minimum pricing will paper ‘Changing Scotland’s relationship with alcohol: reduce alcohol related harm. Higher prices may affect a discussion paper on our strategic approach’ closed consumption, but not necessarily among the groups the on 9th September. Subject to the consultation results, Government wishes to target, they argue. measures such as prohibiting off trade sales to under 21s; Benet Slay, managing director of Diageo Great minimum pricing; introducing social responsibility fees; Britain, states “We are disillusioned with the Scottish and alcohol-only checkouts, may be delivered through Government’s paper and frustrated that Government planned criminal justice and licensing legislation. The is trying to place responsibility for tackling alcohol proposals on alcohol are part of a Health Bill; one of 15 misuse on the shoulders of the drinks industry and thus bills that the Scottish government plans to introduce. failing to recognise that everyone has the responsibility England’s ‘Safe. Sensible. Social’ Alcohol Policy - individuals, Government, civil society and industry... consultation is open until the 14th October, offering We believe the most effective approach to promoting less radical yet serious implications for all sectors of the the highest standards of responsible behaviour across industry. industry and for every consumer, is through a fair, The proposal to ban alcohol off-sales to under-21s has transparent and effective system of co-regulation.” been condemned as unfair or unworkable by many Diageo’s consultation response outlines a new system associations and companies including the Federation of co-regulation for alcohol promotions. It suggests of Small Businesses (FSB), Diageo, the Wine and Spirit the Government sets overall objectives and mandatory Trade Association as well as consumer affairs groups and standards across a range of alcohol issues whilst the adults of the 18-21 age group. Many have highlighted industry should be free to develop a “sensible and easy- the consequences of such a measure whereby 18 –21 to-work system of regulation and practice to meet year old Scots would buy alcohol over the internet or Government’s objectives.” over the border in England. Issues such as the potential Evelyn Gillan, project director of Scottish Health Action criminalisation of adults who may marry, vote, fight for on Alcohol Problems, an independent lobby group their country, own a house, yet potentially not be able to established by the Royal Medical colleges, says Scotland buy alcohol, have been extensively discussed.