Finnish PSA shows effects of alcoholism through eyes of a child 

September 17, 2012

A new public service announcement out of Finland lets parents know what their drinking problem may look like through the eyes of a child.  And it turns out it might be something like a scary movie.

This PSA comes from Fragile Childhood, a not-for profit organization from Finland that started in 1986 to help children who suffer from parental alcohol abuse.

A 2009 study found alcohol to be the number one killer of Finnish adults, responsible for 17 percent of all deaths among 15- to 64-year-old men - surpassing heart disease for the first time - and causing more than 10.5 percent of all deaths in adult women, similar to breast cancer rates.

In the United States, excessive alcohol use is also a major problem. The National Institutes of Health estimates nearly 17.6 million U.S. adults are alcoholics or have a drinking problem.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking increases aggression and, as a result, may increase a person's risk of physically assaulting a person.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has more on "Rethinking Drinking."

Link to article:http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57514502-10391704/finnish-psa-shows-effects-of-alcoholism-through-eyes-of-a-child/

Source: CBS News

Experts Warn Parents: Offering Kids Sips of Alcohol May Backfire

September 18, 2012

At the dinner table, Erica Zidel and her husband often have wine together. On occasion, their 6-year-old son has had a taste too.

"I feel it's very important to set an example of responsible drinking for him -- that alcohol is something to be enjoyed in moderation," says Zidel, who runs an online babysitting service in Boston. "We explain to him that it's a drink for grownups and, as he gets older, he can have a very small amount on special occasions."

Although her son hates the taste of alcohol and never requests any, Zidel will set the table with three wine glasses and pour apple juice in his.

Public health analyst Christine Jackson and her colleagues read hundreds of comments online by parents who share similar beliefs as Zidel's. People were certain that offering kids sips of booze at home would encourage responsible drinking behavior later in life. But despite their best intentions, these moms may be mistaken.

"It is possible that an early introduction to alcohol, even when it is limited to sips and even when it is meant to discourage child interest in alcohol, could backfire and lead to more drinking later on," said Jackson, who is based at the research institute RTI International in North Carolina and worked with colleagues from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a study published in Monday's issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.

To read more, click this link:http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Experts-Warn-Parents-Offering-Kids-Sips-of-Alcohol-May-Backfire-170189356.html

Source: KSEE

Public Support for Alcohol Regulation is Widespread

September 18, 2012

An overwhelming majority of Americans support alcohol regulation, believe alcohol distribution should be handled by local companies and not global corporations, and can easily find a wide variety of beer, wine and liquor in their community.

Those are among the results of a recent national survey that emphasizes how strongly the U.S. public backs basic alcohol regulation, and the degree to which public officials who advocate weakening regulations are out of step with most people.

Fully 72 percent of respondents said that since alcohol is different than other consumer products, it needs a different set of rules and the state should be regulating this industry. Only 22 percent said the free market is the best option to regulate any industry, including alcohol. The survey also found that:

76 percent support the rights of states to set their own laws and regulations that require alcohol to be sold under the three-tiered system. Under this system, alcohol is required to go from a licensed manufacturer to a licensed distributor to a licensed retailer, and businesses in each tier are licensed separately and no manufacturer can own or have a financial interest in a retailer.

89 percent agreed that "all alcohol sold in my state should come through a licensed system which effectively tracks the steps it takes from the producer to the consumer."

86 percent agreed that, with the overwhelming majority of alcohol sold in the U.S. manufactured by foreign-owned global corporations, it is more important than ever that states and localities maintain their ability to regulate alcohol.

69 percent agreed with the statement that eliminating the state's rules and regulations around alcohol beverage sales would lead to overconsumption, increased drunk driving accidents and more underage drinking.

 Despite frequent calls for deregulation, and last year's initiative that dismantled Washington state's alcohol regulatory system, the survey clearly underscores the value the public places in our nation's regulatory system, which is designed to foster moderation; prevent sales practices that lead to abuse and fake/tainted alcohol; efficiently collect taxes; and balance prices.

Source: Public Action Management 

Poll: Most Czechs want alcohol sold in liquor stores only

September 19, 2012

More than three-fourths of Czechs support the idea of alcohol being sold only in special shops controlled by the state, according to a flash poll that the STEM/MARK agency conducted on 521 people for Czech Television (CT) yesterday.

Such a system is applied in Scandinavia, for example. In the Czech Republic, alcohol has been available in nearly all shops and it is served in street kiosks and stalls.

Last week, however, the Czech government imposed a ban on alcohol sales in reaction to an increasing number of methanol poisoning cases. The victims drank tainted alcohol. Their official number reached 23 tonight.

The poll showed that 37 percent of adult Czechs do not drink hard liquor. The rest said they drink spirits regularly or at least exceptionally.

CT reported that the Finance Ministry has been considering the possibility of alcohol being sold only in some shops, but it is merely one of the possible solutions to the problem.

Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek said earlier yesterday the government would like to renew liquor sales within a few days.

According to the poll, 95 percent of Czechs have not seen any violation of the ban on liquor sales since its recent introduction in the country.

But a majority of the people said they believe "prohibition" would not prevent further cases of methanol poisoning from occurring.

Source: Prague Daily Monitor