Canada: The Problem: Health, social impacts of alcohol abuse dwarf opioid crisis (excerpt)
Canada: The Problem: Health, social impacts of alcohol abuse dwarf opioid crisis (excerpt) With so much attention focused on deadly addictions to opioids and meth, alcohol has been overshadowed, despite that it costs society more — in dollars and deaths. Continuing today, Postmedia examines the Southwestern Ontario toll in a three-part series: The Drinker, The […]
Five major trends for the non-alcoholic beverage industry in 2019
Five major trends for the non-alcoholic beverage industry in 2019 Source: https://www.foodbev.com/ By: Heather Burrellon July 04, 2019 Consumer awareness for both the environment and their own health and wellness are two important factors dictating the future of the beverage industry in 2019. Millennials are also set to be a key driver of these trends. […]
Australia: Retail Drinks launches online delivery Code of Conduct
Australia: Retail Drinks launches online delivery Code of Conduct The Shout By Andy Young July 2, 2019 Retail Drinks Australia has officially launched its Online Alcohol Sale and Delivery Code of Conduct (Code), and already has signatories on board who represent over 80 per cent of all alcohol purchased online in Australia. Retail Drinks CEO Julie […]
New research examines whether effects of alcohol/pregnancy policies vary by race
New research examines whether effects of alcohol/pregnancy policies vary by race News Medical and Life Sciences Reviewed by Kate Anderton, B.Sc. (Editor) July 1, 2019 In the U.S. state policies pertaining to alcohol use during pregnancy have been in effect for more than 40 years. These policies include: Mandatory warning signs Priority access to substance abuse […]
United Kingdom: 1 in 5 hospital patients have alcohol-related problems
United Kingdom: 1 in 5 hospital patients have alcohol-related problems NHS July 4, 2019 Various media sources report on the worrying extent of the alcohol problem in the UK, with the BBC and the Sun reporting that 1 in 5 people in hospital beds are heavy drinkers. This follows a review that pooled the results […]
What to know about alcohol and brain damage (excerpt)
What to know about alcohol and brain damage (excerpt) Medical News Today By Zawn Villines Reviewed by Seunggu Han, MD July 3, 2019 Alcohol begins affecting a person’s brain as soon as it enters the bloodstream. In a healthy person, the liver quickly filters alcohol, helping the body get rid of the drug. However, when a […]
Americans Are More Free To Buy Alcohol Now Than They Were Last Summer
Americans Are More Free To Buy Alcohol Now Than They Were Last Summer Forbes By Patrick Gleason, Contributor July 5, 2019 Thanks to action taken by governors and legislators in state capitals across the country in recent weeks and months, it’s easier to stock up on adult beverages for cookouts, sporting events, and other gatherings this […]
Last Call for Some Drinks Advertising Practices Lexology By McCann FitzGerald July 4, 2019 Significant changes to Irish law and practice applicable to the advertising of both alcohol and non-alcohol product variants such as alcohol-free beer and wine (“Non-Alcoholic Drinks”) will begin to take effect later this year. In November 2018, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris signed an order to commence 23 sections of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 (the “Act”) on a phased basis. The Act, which received strong support within the Oireachtas, legislates for alcohol as a public health priority. Minister Harris commented “[t]his is the first time in the history of our State that we have endeavoured to use public health legislation to address issues in respect of alcohol. It is, therefore, a ground-breaking measure.” The Act implements a wide range of measures regarding availability, price, marketing, labelling and advertising of alcohol. From 12 November 2019: under section 14 of the Act, alcohol advertising in certain places, including at public transport stops, in or on train or bus stations, or public service vehicles and within 200 metres of a school, a playschool or a local authority playground, will be prohibited; under section 17 of the Act, children’s clothing that promotes alcohol will also be prohibited; and under section 20 of the Act, alcohol advertising in a cinema will be prohibited except immediately before films with an 18 certificate or in licensed premises within a cinema. Under section 22, from 12 November 2020, in mixed retail outlets alcohol products and advertising must be confined to one of the following: (i) an area separated from the rest of the outlet by a 1.2 metre high barrier; (ii) units in which alcohol products are not visible up to 1.5 metres height; or (iii) up to three units that can be a maximum of 1 metre wide by 2.2 metres high. In addition, alcohol products can be stored out of sight in a unit behind the counter. From 12 November 2021: under section 15 of the Act, there will be a prohibition on alcohol advertising in or on a sports area during a sporting event, at events aimed at children or in which the majority of participants or competitors are children; and under section 16 of the Act, alcohol sponsorship of events aimed at children, or in which the majority of participants or competitors are children and events involving driving or racing motor vehicles will be prohibited. However, at the time of writing, no commencement orders have been made in relation to other important sections of the Act, including: section 11 which relates to minimum unit pricing, a key component of the Act, which requires a further Government decision; section 12 which relates to labelling of alcohol products and notices in licensed premises. The introduction of labels will have to be notified to the EU before its commencement and there will be a three-year lead-in period after this provision is commenced; section 13 which relates to the content of alcohol advertisements. This will require that such advertisements must contain certain warnings including the direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers; and section 18 relating to alcohol advertisements in a publication which is defined as “a newspaper, magazine or any other periodical, brochure or leaflet and includes a supplement or insert to, of cover of the publication”. Advertisements for alcoholic drinks (and any drinks marketed as mixers for alcoholic drinks) are also required to adhere to the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland’s Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications in Ireland (the “ASAI Code”), which applies to all commercial advertisements, regardless of the medium in which they appear. This is currently in its 7th edition and will likely be updated to take account of the provisions of the Act. Non-Alcoholic Drinks To reflect the increased availability and popularity of Non-Alcoholic Drinks, the ASAI has developed new guidance in relation to advertising of non-alcohol product variants to assist companies in the development of their advertising campaigns and marketing communications for these products. The key points of the new guidelines are as follows: it should be made very clear at the start and throughout the advertising that the product is non-alcoholic; advertising in children’s media and close to schools must be avoided and advertising should not appeal to minors in either placement or content; anyone depicted in the advertising shown drinking or playing a significant role should be aged over 25 and should appear to be over 25; and advertisements for Non-Alcoholic Drinks should not later be repurposed for the advertising of other (alcoholic) variants of drinks under the same brand in the Irish market. Conclusion Manufacturers and advertisers of both alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks should take care to ensure that any advertising or marketing carried out complies with the Act, the ASAI Code and all ASAI guidelines.
Last Call for Some Drinks Advertising Practices Lexology By McCann FitzGerald July 4, 2019 Significant changes to Irish law and practice applicable to the advertising of both alcohol and non-alcohol product variants such as alcohol-free beer and wine (“Non-Alcoholic Drinks”) will begin to take effect later this year. In November 2018, the Minister for Health, […]
Alcohol and Water Don’t Mix
Alcohol and Water Don’t Mix US Army By Pamela Doty, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth, Texas July 1, 2019 FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 1, 2019) – According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating accidents. I know […]
After nearly two years, State Dept. responds to inquiry over alleged alcohol poisonings of US tourists
After nearly two years, State Dept. responds to inquiry over alleged alcohol poisonings of US tourists Source: https://www.cnn.com/ By Michelle Kosinski and Zachary Cohen, CNN July 3, 2019 Nearly two years after receiving an inquiry from Senate Homeland Security Committee chairman Ron Johnson, the State Department is finally revealing details about its investigation into multiple deaths […]