Alcohol Review – issue 101, March 29th 2024
Alcohol understanding for all
In this issue: UK council bars alcohol ads; Thai deregulation proposed; Health warnings work; Latvia’s age limit may increase; UK cuts alcohol tax again despite record death
UK council bars ads: Sheffield council in north England barred alcohol products and alcohol-free drinks carrying alcohol brands from advertising on its billboards and other media. This prompted an industry rep to launch a personal attack on a council official and a trade journal editor to argue branding is a “conspiracy theory”. Separately, a report showed that 16 of the 20 local authorities with the highest levels of “deaths of despair” are in the north of England.
Thai deregulation: Thailand’s cabinet this week agreed on five bills to amend the alcohol regulations, extending retail hours and allowing greater leeway for ads. Campaigners submitted an open letter opposing the move. Last month a graphic label was proposed warning, “Alcoholic beverages can cause cancer”.
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Warnings work: Health warning labels detailing the link between alcohol and cancer were linked to lower product appeal, higher risk perceptions and lower intentions to try, buy and binge the product.
Age limit: The Social and Labour Affairs Committee of Latvia’s parliament backed amendments increasing the minimum age for buying alcohol from 18 to 20.
Irresponsibility okayed: The South Korean government is reducing the penalties for alcohol retailers which sell alcohol to minors if they were deceived.
Heart harm: Young to middle-aged women who reported drinking 90ml or more of alcohol a week were more likely to develop coronary heart disease, a study found.
Tax cuts: The UK extended its real-terms cut on alcohol tax for six months, ignoring calls for a rise to stem the country’s record level of alcohol deaths. Canada did similar.
Price rises: Assam in North East India announced a rise in alcohol prices from April 1st to boost government revenue and reduce alcohol harm. Ukraine said it will increase alcohol tax too.?
Colorado bill: A bill unveiled in the Colorado legislature suggested levying a fee on businesses which produce alcoholic products, using the proceeds to fund addiction treatment and recovery programmes.