Research by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University suggests that the use of social media by teenagers increases their substance abuse. The report, based on findings from the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse also concluded that on a typical day, more than half of the teens using … Read More →
This week representatives from the 53 WHO European Region Member States adopted the WHO’s European Action Plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. However, it seems that commercial interests have precedence over health protection, as the final version of the plan has become considerably more industry-friendly, compared to earlier drafts. The most notable change … Read More →
This week spirits producer Diageo (Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Baileys and Guinness amongst other brands) announced a multimillion-dollar deal with social network website Facebook. Diageo is confident this will boost their sales but health experts warn that the impact of this deal will be mainly felt in teenage drinking. In their press release, Diageo states that … Read More →
The industry funded institution Drinkaware has re-launched its ‘Why let good times go bad?’-campaign to address unhealthy drinking behaviors amongst the UK’s young adults. After cuts to the campaigning budget of the Department of Health, the campaign by Drinkaware is the only national alcohol awareness campaign. It quickly becomes apparent that this is an initiative … Read More →
A new report by Camy (the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth), based on research by Johns Hopkins University, concludes that alcohol producers frequently don’t adhere to their own voluntary rules concerning the exposure of children to radio advertisements. This rule entails that alcohol advertisements may not be broadcasted to an audience, which consists for … Read More →
Recent research by the New Zealand Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee has shown that more than one young New Zealander under 25 is dying every week from alcohol-related causes. In reaction to these figures the committee urges parliament to ban alcohol advertising and sponsorship links with sports, among other things. The Child and … Read More →
The Dutch municipality of Nijkerk wants to tighten their anti-alcohol policy. Points of sale need to be put under closer scrutiny and alcohol advertisements are to be further restricted. The proposed plans contain such measures as prohibiting any alcohol advertisement that gives more than factual brand information and is only allowed at specific points of … Read More →
A new study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, concludes that alcohol imagery should be given greater consideration in determining the suitability of films for viewing by children and young people. This conclusion, follows from a comprehensive analysis of 300 of the most popular UK films of the last two decades. The study … Read More →
Alcohol Justice, the American alcohol industry watchdog, has recently drawn attention to the strong ties between American colleges and universities and alcohol producers. The latest example of this being the 10 million dollar sponsorship deal that beer brewer MillerCoors has signed with 23 nationally recognized universities including Arizona State, California, Clemson, Colorado, Penn State, and … Read More →
This week policy makers from all over Europe gathered to discuss the risks posed by alcohol abuse to unborn children. One of their conclusions was that the EU should introduce mandatory warning labels on bottles and cans. The consensus on the conference was that many cases of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be avoided with … Read More →