Selected media stories since the June roundup
Booze NOT good for the heart... 
One drink a day could be enough to increase the risk of heart disease according to new research, contradicting popular claims that moderate consumption has a protective effect, reports the Guardian.
Previous studies found a correlation with moderate drinking and reduced heart disease risk - but this could not be isolated from other influential factors in those groups. However the newly published research, using data from more than 260,000 participants in 56 studies, found those with a gene variant that resulted in lighter drinking had lower heart disease incidence. See Huffington Post and Daily Mail reports.
Other health reports..
The link between alcohol sponsorship and hazardous drinking in UK athletes has been highlighted in new research from the University of Manchester and Monash University in Australia. Alcohol consumption was found to be high in athletes overall. However, 50% of those sponsored by an alcohol-related industry had AUDIT scores that indicated the need for brief counselling and further monitoring of drinking, compared with 39% for non-sponsored athletes, reports Medical News. See the full findings via Alcohol Research UK site who funded the study.
People with a history of alcohol use disorder, which can include those drinking within recommended limits, are twice as likely to have severe memory problems in subsequent years, reports the Telegraph following research by Exeter University.
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol results in intense cravings for more alcohol says a Newsweek report of a study conducted by the Center for Research on Aging, Health and Well-Being at the Australian National University.
Alcohol & the law
Courts will have the power to issue alcohol-monitoring ankle tags under the Alcohol Abstinence and Monitoring scheme, which will be piloted in South London from August, reports the Mirror. The tag measures the amount of alcohol in sweat every half-hour, with the results sent electronically to a monitoring system. Illustation below from the MailOnline and see our previous Alcohol Policy UK report on 'sobriety tags'.
Specialist Family Drug and Alcohol Courts are starting to spread to the regions after being praised by Sir James Munby, the most senior family judge in England and Wales - Belfast Telegraph. Already operating in London (and Gloucester), the latest Court opened in July in Milton Keynes. See also Community Care's article Embedding family drug and alcohol courts into family justice.
Northern Ireland's laws on the sale of alcohol are to be changed, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has said. Publicans will be able to apply for an extension until 2am twelve times every year and restrictions on advertising alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences will be introduced, says BBC News
SNP ministers are to press ahead with legislation to reduce the drink drive limit for Scotland to 50mg per 100ml, instead of the 80mg UK limit, reports the Daily Record.
Nalmafene set to get 'NICE' approval
Nalmafene (or 'Selincro) has made the news as draft guidance from NICE suggests its approval for moderately dependent heavy drinkers - see Mail and Independent reports. The drug, made by Danish company Lundbeck, is claimed to help to reduce the craving for alcohol by controlling the reward mechanism in the brain - but only when combined with a psychological intervention. However concerns have been raised that this crucial requirement may be overlooked - see our previous post and comments here. Reuters says Lundbeck believes Selincro has the potential to generate annual sales of $365-457m.
Industry & trade news
Chelmsford councillors have voted to approve the controversial Late Night Levy, forcing bars selling alcohol late in the evening to pay towards policing the city centre, reports the Essex Chronicle.
The latest drinks fad is, apparently, "Juicetails" - cold pressed vegetables with alcohol, eg Pea-lini, made from salted pea cordial, spearmint, butterfly absinthe and prosecco. Because "people want to be good while being bad", says the Independent
Diageo rum brand Captain Morgan has been censured by advertising regulator the ASA for implying that alcohol can overcome boredom and is capable of changing mood, reports Beverage Daily
Shoppers buying spirits and liqueurs at Sainsbury’s can no longer collect reward points as a result of “complex” new laws - i.e the 'below cost ban', reports the Telegraph
Moray brewery Brewmeister have set the record for the world’s strongest beer for a second time, with their 67.5% brew called ‘Snake Venom’, reports the Scotsman.
Meanwhile, Spanish brewer Estrella has launched the first non-alcohol beer to be available on draught in the UK, says the Morning Advertiser. Estrella Galicia will be marketed through sponsorship of MotoGP.
Finally..
Released classified documents of a former KGB defector reveal that two of UK’s double agents, who worked also for KGB, were “constantly drunk” at work, reports the Voice of Russia.
Comments