The Government has emphasised it is yet to confirm its decision on minimum unit pricing (MUP) as Home Office minister Jeremy Brown said the Government were listening to "powerfull arguments on both sides" following the recent consultation. The Home Office website still states it "will introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol" - but for how long?
Last week fresh reports that the Prime Minister had u-turned on minimum unit pricing emerged, suggesting he had given in to pressure from a number of cabinet ministers. However speaking in the House of Commons, David Cameron insisted he was "determined" to deal with cheap alcohol. Health bodies urged the Government to stand firm on MUP.
Global 'Statement of Concern' against alcohol producers involvement in policy
Last month a number of UK organisations backed a Statement of Concern' (pdf) sent to the World Health Organization (WHO) after thirteen of world’s largest alcohol producers announced commitments to support the WHO’s Global Strategy.
However the statement said that based on alcohol producer's "lack of support for effective alcohol policies... and their lobbying against effective public health measures" a united public health response against industry involvement was needed. The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) are calling for individuals to endorse the statement by sending a name, title, affiliation and country to [email protected].
Other news
A selection of other recent news is highlighted below. For full round ups of media and news reports follow Drugscope Daily or the LAPE alcohol e-shot.
The Department of Health are 'working' with drinks industry to add calorie information to labels - Guardian report. The controversial 'Responsibility Deal' said in 2011 it would "provide simple and consistent information as appropriate in the off-trade" including calorie content.
Can politicians save Britain's pubs? asks a BBC report. It explores a range of challenges facing the decline of the pub, including the smoking ban and imbalanced beer taxes compared with the off-trade.
'Beer googles' are a myth, but the dis-inhibitor effect is key says a scientist according to a Telegraph report. "Alcohol switches off the rational and decision making areas of the brain while leaving the areas to do with sexual desire relatively intact, and so this explains beer goggles."
Brighton and Hove Council are considering whether to ask parents to sign contracts pledging not to give their children alcohol - BBC. Alcohol Concern said parents were often the main source of alcohol for underage drinkers and alcohol posed significant health as well as safety risks to young people, urging parents to support alcohol-free childhoods in line with CMO guidance.
Plans to film binge drinkers in Cardiff and show them footage of their drunken behaviour to help them change their ways will go ahead - BBC report.
Doctors call for pregnant women to be tested for alcohol intake - Channel 4 news. The news was in response to the FASD Trust publishing recommendations for medical staff to tackle foetal alcohol disorder caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy - BBC.
Britain sobers up as drinkers cut back on wine and spirits according to projections that suggest the country will drink millions fewer bottles of wine and spirits over the next few years - Telegraph. The news contrasts with recent media coverage of research on adults under-estimating their consumption - see our recent guest post.
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