Selected media stories since the May roundup:
Minimum unit pricing (MUP) was in the Scottish media as the legal case returned to the Court of Session in Edinburgh for the first of two further hearings.
MUP was also being further politicised by being dragged into the Brexit debate; leave campaigners claiming the failure to implement was an example of a lack of sovereignty, despite the case yet to be concluded. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association also wrote in to the Herald to highlight not all sections of the industry were against MUP; indeed they were supporters of it to 'stop it being used as a loss leader in major supermarkets', and that 'alcohol should not be just another "pile it high, sell it cheap” commodity'. A final decision is expected shortly.
A new Heineken sponsorship deal of Formula 1 racing worth $150m has been criticised by health groups who want to see an end to alcohol sponsorship and sport. They argue that the association between sport and alcohol is especially damaging to young people but Heineken has said the F1 partnership will promote the brewer’s “If You Drive, Never Drink” campaign.
Euro 2016 boosted supermarket alcohol sales, the first increase in over a year, reported the Independent. Sales of beers, wines and spirits jumped 6.2 per cent for the four weeks to 18 June, whilst crisps & snacks rose 4.2 per cent, according to June figures from retail analysts Nielsen.
Research
Alcohol: why do we drink it? An Independent article explores the main reasons and beliefs thought to motivate drinking behaviours, including taste, dopamine release, stress and other possible reasons with varying degrees of scientific evidence. 'One thing is for sure' though; 'it is certainly not a safer, healthier bet than water'.
Does alcohol put our health 'on the rocks?', explored a Guardian piece weighing up some of the short, long term and other health effects commonly debated. However there is still a 'surprising large list of things we know little about regarding our drug of choice' the author concludes.
People drink more when using larger sized glasses, adding to the evidence that glass size and shape can subconsciously shape drinking behaviour, as reported in the Independent. Researchers from Cambridge and Bristol Universities examined drinking habits at a restaurant with a bar in Cambridge over a 16-week period and found that the volume of wine purchased daily was 9.4 per cent higher when sold in larger glasses compared to standard-sized glasses.
Scotland has the highest international rates for those needing medical treatment after binge drinking, reported the Herald in response to new Global Drugs Survey data. Around 2.4 per cent of Scots who took part in the survey have received emergency medical assistance after drinking, more than two times the global average rate of 1.1 per cent. Scotland were followed by 2.2 per cent of drinkers in Ireland and Norway, with the rest of the UK on 1.9 per cent.
Nalmefene was licensed for use in the UK despite insufficient evidence it was effective reported several news sources in response to new research. Questions were raised over the way in which the studies were conducted as well as the decision making process in approving it for use.
Trade, industry and other news 
Blackpool council hit the news after plans considering the introduction of a ban on alcohol advertising near pubs, shops and off licences was released in a new alcohol strategy. Councillor Amy Cross, Blackpool Council's Cabinet Member for Reducing Health Inequalities, said: "It's not to say that we will bring in every suggestion, but we won't rule them out either." A trade body said the measures would be "unfair", although Blackpool has some of the highest levels of alcohol harms in the country.
More than 100 bottles of illegal alcohol were seized from a pub, cafes and other businesses in Brighton during a Police operation into organised crime, reported the BBC.
Police Scotland launched a 'summer crackdown' on drink drivers in June, combining high visibility patrols and roadside checks. Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, said: “Over the next two weeks our increased visibility and activity throughout the country aims to reassure the public that drink/drug driving is unacceptable... Our message is simple – the best approach is none.”
Alcohol adverts were seen nearly once per minute during Euro 2016 reported the BBC. The findings were released by Alcohol Concern Wales, who called for tougher restrictions; "Alcohol marketing drives consumption, particularly in the under-18s" said Andrew Misell. "Given the sport's massive appeal to children, it's high time to tighten up the rules and kick alcohol advertising and sponsorship out of football."
Alcohol bans in France targeting England fans during Euro 2016 were in the news as French authorities restricted the sale of alcohol and drafted an 4,000 extra police in Lille whilst England, Wales, Russia and Slovakia fans in the town. Perhaps justified if you consider the case of Dane Robertson from Peterborough, who reportedly broke into a French police officer's apartment when drunk thinking it was his rented place..
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