Advice for three alcohol-free days per week has been in the news following evidence given at the inquiry into alcohol consumption guidelines. See reports from the Daily Mail, BBC and The Telegraph.
Sir Ian Gilmore of Royal College of Physicians (RCP) emphasised the need for drinkers to consider the risks of daily alcohol consumption, even in moderate amounts. Gilmore said: ‘In addition to quantity, safe alcohol limits must also take into account frequency. There is an increased risk of liver disease for those who drink daily or near daily compared with those who drink periodically or intermittently." A possible 'binge drinking guideline' of 8 units had also been raised in an earlier session.
Don Shenker is to leave Alcohol Concern, a press release today announced. He had spent six years with the organisation with over three years as Chief Executive (CE). Eric Appleby is returning to act as a part-time Interim CE, alongside the recruitment of a full time Director of Fundraising and Campaigning.
Last month a multimillion-dollar deal agreed between Facebook and Diageo was announced. A Guardian report highlighted concerns over a deliberate strategy to target a younger audience - half of Facebook users are under the age of 24 and many under 18 years old.
Diageo's US brands had reportedly seen a 20% increase in sales as a result of Facebook activity this year. Alcohol Concern recently released a report on children's exposure to advertising via social networking. Facebook said all its alcohol advertising was 'age-gated' - not allowing under 18s onto alcohol brand pages. Diageo said it complied with 'all applicable laws, regulations and industry codes'.
Young women who 'binge drink' are skipping meals to reduce their calorie intake according to the Daily Mail. The practice termed ‘drunkorexia’ is reportedly affecting young British women, particularly students, following U.S. research that found 16% of students reported restricting calories to 'save them' for drinking. Women were apparently three times more likely to do so, citing wanting to lose weight and spend less money getting drunk as reasons.
The controversial below cost ban may yet still include production costs, according to the Morning Advertiser. However a source said the Home Office were finding it "increasingly difficult to come up with something that includes the cost of production. Legally it’s a minefield". At present the 'below cost ban' only identifies cost as duty+VAT; ASDA recently came under fire for selling Budweiser for around 16 pence per unit despite committing to the ban.
Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) - local partnership projects which work with retailers to reduce underage drinking - are planning wider roll out following further industry funding. Brighton Council is seeking a VAT rise for off-licence sales according to the MA. More Government action needed to earn its 'pub friendly' claim says CAMRA. The Northern Ireland Health Secretary is intent on minimum pricing according to the BBC.
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