Selected media stories since the June update:
A government-backed campaign to prevent inebriated passengers from boarding airplanes is being rolled out at ten airports – Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Southampton, Bristol and Newcastle. The One Too Many initiative, where passengers will see warnings about alcohol consumption posted on digital display screens, will be shown in duty-free shops and leaflets handed out by the police. Telegraph
NUS Wales president Gwyneth Sweatman said Cardiff University's successful Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings means they should be rolled out across all universities, reports the BBC. An AA trustee said the number of younger attendees at meetings was rising each year. However Professor Tony Moss Tweeted the article missed two important points; firstly that not all alcohol problems are dependence, and secondly that AA is just one form of support drinkers might seek.
Alcohol Concern/Alcohol Research UK has called for a Government review of how alcohol marketing is regulated, claiming the current watchdog is inconsistent and operates without scrutiny, reported ITV News. Following a new study, it also says the rules on advertising alcohol must be tightened up because of th way venues are using social media, reported the Express. John Timothy (pictured) though, Chief Executive of the Portman Group argued that self-regulation is still the answer, and said in the Grocer "our biggest challenge this year is to deliver an updated set of rules to respond to industry and societal change. See APUK analysis.
The Treasury could face a 'backlash' from backbench MPs, amid claims that ministers are considering an inflation-linked increase on duties which could raise an additional £1bn annually. Telegraph
The UK’s first civilian trial of alcohol interlocks, which require a ‘clean’ alcohol-free sample of breath to be provided before the car is started, is to take place in Durham. AutoExpress
The British Ports Association (BPA) has called for new legislation to introduce alcohol limits for non-professional boaters, to be in line with the rules that already exist for commercial ships in British waters. Yachting and Boating World
A 2015 Student Living Index survey by NatWest has found the top-ten UK cities where students spend the most money on alcohol, with Newcastle and Glasgow at the top. But London 'doesn't even make the cut', reports the Independent.
Figures released in response to a parliamentary question by the Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs suggest the number of people admitted to hospital in Scotland with alcohol-related brain damage has reached a 10-year high. BBC
The Express published an article on liver disease: Five early symptoms of organ damage caused by too much alcohol and another on six illnesses that can develop if you regularly exceed the limit.
Industry news
A major restaurant chain was caught serving pints of beer in glasses that are 8.1ml too small by Birmingham Trading Standards, which launched an investigation after a “significant complaint” was made. A nationwide recall of the glasses was ordered. Telegraph
Sales of gin have tripled since 2009, and drinkers spent £461m on gin last year, up by 32.5pc on the year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Telegraph
Cider sales have slumped since the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in Scotland on 1 May. It suffered the highest price increase – 22% – and has seen the biggest drop in sales – eight per cent. Scottish Sun
Shoppers are 'paying through the nose for booze-free drinks that can cost more than three times as much as the hard stuff', reports the Mirror. Sales of non-alcoholic drinks have risen by 64%, but many low or alcohol free versions cost significantly more than their alcoholic counterparts.
And finally...
Drunken gulls "stinking of alcohol" are being rescued by the RSPCA along the south coast of England. "Disoriented and confused" birds have been found in Devon and Dorset after apparently devouring brewery waste. BBC
Recent Comments