Selected media stories since the February roundup:
News
More lower strength drinks options are needed to tackle drink-related health problems, according to the Local Government Association (LGA). The LGA is urging the drinks industry to produce more drinks with fewer or zero units of alcohol and wants government to support this by extending current tax breaks on such drinks. BBC and LGA release.
Middle-aged people will be targeted in Public Health England's new 'One You' healthy lifestyle campaign, including internet, TV, social media and outdoor advertising. The Guardian. Drinking, smoking, lack of exercise and obesity are part of the drive to reduce the 40% of deaths affected by unhealthy behaviours. The Guardian & BBC.
Alcohol tags designed to keep criminals sober will be rolled out throughout London after a successful pilot scheme in London boroughs. Sutton Guardian & Russell Webster.
More than two thirds of respondents to a consultation into plans to introduce a 50p minimum unit price for alcohol in Wales were in favour of the plans. The five month consultation into the Welsh Government proposal showed 68 per cent supported the idea, with many saying it would cut health problems from alcohol abuse, ease the burden on the NHS and society as a whole and cut anti-social behaviour. South Wales Argus
Meanwhile a new report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies, ‘Dereliction of Duty: Are UK alcohol taxes too low?’ claims that the Government’s own estimates of the social costs of alcohol imply that alcohol duty should be raised. Politics.co.uk
A late-night levy on Liverpool's bars and clubs will not be introduced after councillors rejected the proposals. BBC
Research
Tax receipts from wine sales have more than doubled in the past 15 years in the UK, outpacing those from beer and spirits and becoming the largest source of alcohol taxes in 2012-13. Alcohol duties including VAT raised £10.5bn in 2014-15 for the exchequer - in depth analysis on wine taxation from the Financial Times
Increasing numbers of young people are turning teetotal, according to new ONS figures on alcohol consumption reported the Independent. The Daily Mail said the figures show that although average consumption seems to be falling, it remains high among the middle aged and middle class.
People who enjoy a tipple five times a week or drink a little every day could have less risk of heart failure, a new Norwegian study claims said the Daily Star, and the Telegraph reported that having up to six alcoholic drinks a week does not pose a long-term risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a Harvard study. However, studies which suggest that drinking alcohol moderately has health benefits are flawed, according to new research from Canada, said the Independent.
The extension of licensing hours in England and Wales has triggered a rise in binge drinking and an associated increase in mental and physical health problems, according to new research by economists at Lancaster University. Guardian
24-hour drinking was always going to be a disaster, writes the author of a report reviewing the 2003 licensing Act in the Guardian. Extending hours was never going to create a 'cafe culture' and instead has opened the drinking window with a range of consequences.
Articles
The Independent asked Drinking culture at university: Are students taking their health for granted too young? in a look at young people's perceptions of drinking, whilst the Guardian suggested Dance yourself happy: the rise of the sober rave.
In the light of the new alcohol guidelines levelling the recommended amounts for men and women, the Conversation considered whether the limit really should be the same.
Industry news
The industry has 'slammed' Government proposals to strengthen elements of the Licensing Act as recently set out in the new Crime Prevention strategy. Morning Advertiser.
Starbucks has revealed plans to roll out the sales of alcohol to sites across the UK. Eat Out
Gin sales in the UK have topped £900 million for the first time, with £400 million mark over the past year in British supermarkets and off licences and £500 million in pubs, restaurants and bars across the UK between January 2015-16. Mirror
And the number of gin distilleries in Britain has doubled in six years, with 49 opening last year alone after a huge boost in demand. Telegraph
Burger King has been given permission to sell alcohol alongside its traditional fast food menu in the UK for the first time, at Waterloo station. Mirror
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