Selected media stories since the February roundup:
Policy
Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, has urged reform of the licensing system, suggesting the number of bars and pubs in the country be reduced in order to stem the rising tide of alcohol related violence, reported the Telegraph.
Wales: More than £50m will be invested in programmes to tackle drug and alcohol misuse over the next year, announced Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething, says Wales Online. Alcohol misuse is still costing the Welsh NHS more than £109m a year, the Gething said, despite a fall in alcohol-related deaths (BBC).
Research
A single alcoholic drink could make people seem more attractive because it causes facial muscles to relax, pupils to dilate and cheeks to flush, according to research reported in the Telegraph.
Scientists have pinpointed a protein in the brain which could be used to suppress the desire to keep drinking alcohol, and could even lead to a cure for alcoholism reported the Telegraph.
Three alcoholic drinks a day could lead to liver cancer – although drinking more coffee could prevent the disease, according to the most comprehensive review to date, reported the Independent.
Alcohol by volume
Beer drinkers are turning their back on strong lager with 2 billion fewer units of alcohol consumed in the last two years, reported the Telegraph.
Does weak wine taste better, asked the Daily Mail, reporting that low alcohol bottles of red stimulate our senses more. Good news for New Zealand it seems, where the cooler climate is giving its winemakers an edge as they seek to exploit growing global demand for lighter, premium wines, as rising temperatures push up the alcohol content of wines from rivals such as Australia and the United States, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, said the Guardian, sales of mini bottles of wine containing single servings have soared as health-conscious consumers seek to rein in the amount of alcohol they drink, supermarkets are reporting.
Trade news 
Pub groups gave three cheers to George Osborne after the Chancellor cut another penny from the price of a pint for the third year in a row in the Budget, reported the Telegraph. Scotch whisky producers were pleased too (BBC).
Drinks giant Diageo is to become the first alcohol company to start providing “per typical serve” information on alcohol content and nutrition - including calories - on its products, reported the Grocer.
Publicans with personal licences expiring on or after 1 April 2015 will not need to apply for renewal, the Home Office has confirmed. Morning Advertiser
The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill has been passed by Parliament, without further amendment, so that the bill, which includes the statutory pubs code and controversial market rent only clause, will now be put forward for Royal Assent before the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the General Election, reported the Morning Advertiser. Update here.
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association has urged the Government to do more to support pubs north of the border, following a survey that reveals two thirds of outlets have suffered a decline in like-for-like sales of up to 10% following the introduction of tougher drink driving limits, reported the Morning Advertiser.
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