20 April 2009. Researchers from the Curtin University of Technology in Australia have uncovered some of the secret workings and concerns of the international alcohol industry.

Carlsberg, the Danish beer giant, has been heavily criticised for its marketing practices in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world that has numerous alcohol problems.

The European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) is a collaborative effort of independent research teams in about forty European countries and the largest cross-national research project on adolescent substance use in the world.

On Monday 6 April 2009, DG Sanco released a comprehensive report commissioned to RAND Europe on the affordability [1] of alcoholic beverages in the EU. The study found a positive relationship between alcohol affordability, consumption and harms.

A group of leading European health experts have called for a Europe-wide ban on alcohol advertising that appeals to children and adolescents.

16 March 2009. The Environment Committee has decided (with 26 votes for and 10 votes against) to postpone its vote on the proposal on food information to consumers. In the view of the almost 1000 amendments tabled to the draft report by Renate Sommer (EPP-ED, DE), MEPs followed the rapporteurs request to assign her to submit a new draft report, incorporating as many amendments as possible, but this is unlikely to be done until after the elections. A new deadline for amendments will then be opened.

On 11th of March, the Science Group of the European Alcohol & Health Forum presented a report on the impact of alcohol marketing on the volume and drinking patterns of alcohol consumption by young people.

The Science Group, composed of public health as well as industry affiliated scientists, unanimously adopted the report, thus going against the long standing stance of the industry that advertising only serves to reinforce brand allegiance, but does not lead to increased consumption.

Last week, the Scottish government announced new measures to tackle alcohol related harm, including the radical step to introduce minimum pricing of alcohol (per unit). If this controversial measure goes ahead, Scotland would be the first country in Europe to take the step.

The report, published on 17 February 2009, states that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is associated to an increase in risks of following types of cancer: mouth, pharynx and larynx, oesophagus, colorectal, breast and liver. The risk of developing these types of cancer increase even at low levels of alcohol consumption, starting at one glass per day.

The European Commission has now published the Work Plan for 2009 for the implementation of its second programme of Community action in the field of health.