Selected media stories since the July roundup:
Health
The papers picked up on Public Health England's (PHE) marketing strategy for alcohol and the forthcoming new responsible drinking guidance (see our previous post), which is exploring encouraging alternate alcohol-free days for drinkers. "The one day on, one day off, approach would have a positive impact on health" reported the Mirror, whilst the Mail talked of "nanny-state meddling".
PHE might want to target cruise passengers, who average 168 units of alcohol a week on board, according to research reported in the Telegraph.
Dr Nick Knight wrote in the Independent about the science of alcohol: how does it affect your liver and heart? whilst the Mail did a piece on dental health, saying a nightly glass of wine can dry out your mouth, suck the calcium from your teeth, and leave you with bad breath.
Alcohol marketing: self-regulation working just fine....
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) insists it has its house in order on alcohol advertising despite the All Party Parliamentary Group's (APPG) recent call to strengthen regulation to protect children, says Marketing Week. An ASA spokesman said "many of the concerns raised by the APPG relate to wider marketing practices, such as sponsorship and editorial content of programmes, that aren’t covered by the Advertising Code.” Ian Barber, of the Advertising Association, said the APPG “ignores the reality” that young people are drinking less.
Recently ASA banned a Facebook Captain Morgan campaign (not this one, pictured) that has the pirate Captain Morgan raising a glass and cheering whilst surrounded by his crew, accompanied by the text "Wednesday. I'm declaring war on mid-week boredom" - ruling here. A TV ad for Jagermeister has also been banned, for linking alcohol with tough, daring behaviour (surfing in icy waters).
Meanwhile, research published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research found that underage drinkers are three times more likely to drink alcohol brands that advertise on television programs they watch compared to other alcohol brands, providing, the researchers claim, new and compelling evidence of a strong association between alcohol advertising and youth drinking behaviour.
Licensed trade news 
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) says the UK pub closure rate has risen to 31 per week, reports the Morning Advertiser.
A Podcast debating 'Last orders for Britain's boozers?' explored a number social, economic and policy perspective on the future for pubs, courtesy of the Voice of Russia.
A report published by Alcohol Focus Scotland claims concerns of local people are often ignored by licensing boards. It suggested more boards highlighted the economic importance of the licensed trade than the damaging consequences of alcohol, and it found more than half had extended licensing hours over the past six years, says BBC News
Alcohol-free drinks and bars on the rise
The Morning Advertiser reports on industry research that suggests it is becoming more socially acceptable to order alcohol-free beer at a pub, with adults in Scotland leading the way, says the Scotsman.
Meanwhile, actor John Thompson has been promoting the forthcoming opening of Manchester's first 'dry bar', the Umbrella Cafe in Dale Street, reports Manchester Evening News.
Alcohol policy - Westminster and Europe
The House of Lords Home Affairs, Health and Education EU Sub-Committee is seeking contributions to its new inquiry into the EU’s Alcohol Strategy, says Drinks Business Review. Written evidence should be submitted by September 19 (details here).
In response to a Parliamentary Question, Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter was told by Communities Minister Kris Hopkins (pictured, centre):
"This Government has stopped departmental spending of taxpayers' money on alcohol. Yet ministers in this department are not killjoys. As was the case under the last administration, there is no prohibition on alcohol consumption (funded privately)." (Mailonline)
Drunkenness and rape
Retiring judge Mary Jane Mowat caused something of a furore when she said the rape conviction rate would not improve 'until women stop getting so drunk'. This follows 'outrage' over a 2006 NHS/Home Office Know Your Limits poster - still used in some places apparently - that 'shifts the blame' onto drunk rape vicitms for their attack.
Eat drink...
My Daily reports that John and Corinne Clarkson have just created the UK's first deep-fried alcohol bar snack, soaking sponge in Bailey's and strawberries and cream and cola varieties of Sidekick. Meanwhile a Leicestershire couple have overcome alcohol's anti-freeze properties to create Melt’On Luxury Alcoholic Ice Cream, reports the Leicester Mercury.
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