Selected media stories since the April roundup:
A range of media reports covered Scotland's minimum unit pricing (MUP) one year after it came into force. The BBC asked if the new alcohol laws had changed drinking habits, whilst others including The Times implied the policy was not working owing to rises in consumption. Others however reflected nuances, including larger consumption rises in England coinciding with the hot summer and football world cup, and big hits on drink types such as white cider in Scotland. See APUK's analysis MUP one year on: speculation, spin & evidence?.
Britons 'get drunk' more often than 35 other nations, The Guardian and others reported, following Global Drug Survey 2019 findings. Britons get drunk an average of 51 times a years, compared to an average of 33 times across all respondents. Britons also topped the table for cocaine use, with Harry Sumnall, of Liverpool John Moores University, warning of the harms from the drug 'especially when mixed with alcohol'. See APUK analysis of the GDS findings here.
Bosses behind reality TV show Love Island have put in place 'strict new alcohol rules', reports the Daily Star. The TV show has been subject to scrutiny following the deaths of two former participants, Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon. A spokesperson for the show said: "We provide our Islanders with all of the necessary precautionary measures and all alcohol consumption is strictly monitored by our production team." A ban on broadcasting any smoking will also carry on from the fourth season after the reality show received a number of complaints.
Producers on the Jeremy Kyle show allowed guests to get drunk and take drugs before appearing in front of the cameras, reports The Telegraph. Channel 4’s Dispatches revealed former employees had said the show used drink and drugs to try and keep guests happy. The show was cancelled by ITV earlier this month following the suspected suicide of a guest after a show's recording.
A 'drink-in' protest over an alcohol ban in Bristol has taken place, reports the BBC. Bristol Momentum Youth said it would be "out in force armed with tins of mojitos and beers" calling on the council to lift the ban in Castle Park. A council spokesman said: "Public Space Protection Orders are used where particular behaviour is having a negative effect on the quality of life in certain areas", stating 12 such orders prohibited street drinking in Bristol where fixed penalty notices can be issued for drinking. The council said no-one was fined during the protest.
Sports & culture
Former England footballer Tony Adams has spoken about his own alcohol problems, crediting Alcoholics Anonymous and talking therapy with helping to improve his mental health, get sober and quit alcohol. Adams spoke about his experience on a BBC Hardtalk interview, saying alcohol 'gave him a good hiding'.
Calum Best has spoken about how his father's fans are reluctant to talk about his alcohol problems. His dad, footballing legend George Best, died of alcohol-related problems in 2005. Calum, who has been active in campaigning for children affected by parental drinking, said “I have found that people only want to hold [him] at this iconic level of ‘hero’. So if you speak about the alcohol side sometimes people don’t like that."
A new generation of England football fans are adopting a “stag-do culture where young guys get together and suddenly anything goes”, reports The Telegraph. The FA has also launched a video highlighting the issue of anti-social behaviour entitled Don’t Be That Idiot. The FA's head of teams and corporate security, said England fans had moved away from “organised violence” into “alcohol-fuelled” anti-social behaviour. Between September 2014 and March 2019, the FA issued 127 suspensions and 237 warnings to members of its England Supporters Travel club.
Drinking culture at evening cricket games is profitable but stops children watching, reports The Guardian. The article explores the historical context of alcohol and cricket in England and its 'boozy' nature, examining how the English Cricket Board might seek to broaden its appeal to children and less alcohol-orientated fans, but asks 'How do you stop them from selling as much beer as they can to maximise profits?', describing the ECB's task as 'a tricky rope to walk'.
Health & research
New research has found how a molecule found in red wine may lower blood pressure - in mice - reported The Express. However, the BHF point out scientists have been largely unable to translate the effects of resveratrol to humans and 'for a human to consume the same doses of resveratrol used in the study, they would need to drink around 1,000 bottles of red wine a day'.
Doctors are turning to drink, binge-eating and prescribed drugs to cope with the mounting stresses of their jobs, reports The Guardian. Researchers had found that one in three medical professionals used alcohol to feel better, and one in five to cope with a stressful event, while 5% were alcohol dependent. “Our research shows that 55% of doctors have burnout and this has real health consequences. Doctors are not to blame for having burnout. It is a normal, human reaction to external stressors.” said Dr Caroline Kamau, who co-led the study.
Pubs, bars & industry
A BBC report has featured the 'Rise of the sober bar', exploring bars in New York and London, where alcohol-free Redemption bar now has three locations. In January, The Virgin Mary, an alcohol-free pub, opened in Dublin. It suggests such bars often function as 'second living rooms for apartment dwellers with little space' appealing to those who 'for whatever reason, would prefer not to drink.' Meanwhile, Heineken's alcohol free beer is being trailed on tap, reports The Sun.
A bar owner in Bristol has complained about health-conscious diners who prefer water with their food and said they are ruining her business, reports The Telegraph. Sam Espensen wrote: “If you come to Bristol Spirit and only drink free tap water - we will not make enough money from your table to break even, let alone turn a profit."
The traditional pub is in the middle of an 'extinction event', but claims the issue is beer duty are false, argues a Morning Advertiser piece. Ted Bruning argues the elephant in the room is restrictions and rules from big pub companies (Pubcos), and whilst pubs must continue to adapt to survive, micro-pubs are the future where the money goes only to the brewer and the licensee.
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