By Walter Farke (DHS)

Wiesbaden (Germany) – The Federal Office of Statistics reported about 19,522 alcohol intoxicated children, young people and young adults between 10 and 20 years who were treated in hospital in 2006. This is an increase of 0.4% compared to the previous year. This rate is a very high level and is twice as high as in 2000 (+105%).

Groups representing the country’s youth have condemned moves to restrict the sale of alcohol to people over 21, saying that doing so ignores the broader problems caused by alcohol. Mary Cunningham, director of The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), claims that the proposal to increase the legal age limit for purchasing alcohol from 18 to 21 inherently attributes binge drinking and public order offences to young people and ignore the bigger picture. She said statistic demonstrate a “population wide problem with alcohol misuse.”

Minister Arlene Foster has proposed lowering the alcohol limit for motorcylists in Northern Ireland.

Barcelona, 3-5 April, 2008

The third in a series of European Alcohol Policy conferences will take place in Barcelona from the 3rd to the 5th of April, 2008. The Conference will be one of the official events of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union.

Brussels, November 30. The European Spirits Organisation – CEPS has published its Second Year Progress Report on implementation of the CEPS Charter on Responsible Alcohol Consumption (adopted in 2005).

The European Parliament in Plenary Session has backed up - at 2nd reading of the codecision procedure - the recommendation drawn up by Ruth Hieronymi (EPP-ED, DE) approving the Council common position to adopt a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities.

Date published: November 29 2007

RE: WINE CMO REFORM - THE CEEV CALLS UPON THE MEMBER STATES TO ADOPT A PROFOUND REFORM ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING THE EU WINE SECTOR’S COMPETITIVENESS.

A ground-breaking coalition of 24 organisations whose mission is reduce the damage to health caused by alcohol was launched in London last 23 November.

Brussels, 19 – 20 November.

INEBRIA, the International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol Problems, organizes its 4th conference in Brussels.