Brussels, 9 April 2008. The European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the appointment of Cypriot Androula Vassiliou as the European Commission's new Commissioner for Public Health, Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare. Mrs Vassiliou replaces her compatriot Markos Kyprianou, who left the post last March to become foreign minister of the new Cypriot government.

The Licensing Act 2003 came into force in England and Wales in November 2005. The controversial legislation transferred responsibilities for licensing from the Magistrates Court to Local Authorities, in order to allow a more comprehensive, localised approach to the issues of licensing and alcohol related crime and disorder.

The Irish Prime Minister, Mr Bertie Ahern, has given indications that new laws to restrict the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and garage forecourts may be in place before the summer.

Belgium may soon pass a law to force persistent drunk-drivers to install a dashboard device that will stop them from starting their cars when under the influence of alcohol, national media said on Monday.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20080211/98914897.html

By EUCAM (European Centre for Alcohol Marketing Monitoring)

A recent study by Henriksen et al (2008) published in Journal of Adolescent Health examines the impact of receptivity to alcohol marketing and recall/recognition of alcohol brand names on initiation of alcohol use in American adolescents.

The first youth network on alcohol policy was established in Budapest, from 28-30 March: Alcohol Policy Youth Network (APYN).

Brussels, 18 March 2008. The European wine sector has launched its “Wine in Moderation, Art de Vivre” programme, which “encourages moderation and responsibility in the consumption of wine, with a view to contributing to the EU strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm”.

On Wednesday 12 March, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, announced that duty on alcoholic drinks has been increased by 6% more than the rate of inflation. In his address to the House of Commons, the Chancellor said:

The 2nd meeting of the Youth Task Force took place in Luxembourg on 4 - 5 March 2008.

The third European Alcohol Policy conference took place in Barcelona, 3rd-5th April 2008, with 352 participants from 36 countries. The conference was encompassed within the programme of activities organized by the Slovenian Presidency of the EU.