Norwegian womens level of drinking is soon equal with men, shows a new report from the The Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research. Young adult women in Oslo, the capital, drinks the most. Even though men still drink more than women, the difference has decreased. The percentage that are abstainers are stable, but those who drink are doing it more often and more.
Mimicking men
- Women are “mimicking” men. Since the male drinking pattern are more accepted in society, women takes after mens drinking habits, and not the other way …

The discussion about minimum alcohol pricing in Britain goes on. Prime minister Gordon Brown has earlier said that this was out of the quesion since it after his opinon would “punish the majority of responsible drinkers”. But several researcher now says that a measure like this would be effective in curbing alcohol consumption in Britain. A moderate drinker would not be very affected by a minimum price. Researchers at Sheffield University says that a 50p per unit minimum would add just £12 a year to the drinks bill of …

The European Commission has started up a project trying to reach young people, and encourage them to be active partners in promoting their health.
The chief aim of the project is
* To prioritise the health of children and young people in Europe.
* To highlight important health-related youth issues that the Commission is working on, including healthy life-styles, education, workplace, media and healthy environments.
A website has been set up here.
A 2-day conference will be held in Brussels in cooperationm with the European Youth Forum on 9 july. Around 400 people are …

A study where 200 employees at pubs and nightclubs in Stockholm has showed that half of those between 20 and 25 years have so big drinking problems that they could have need for treatment. The average in the whole population is three precent. 74% of men and 84 percent of women was categorized “risky alcohol habits”, 33 percent of men and 40 percent of women could also placed in the group “problmatic alcohol habits” and 14 % of men and 16 % of women was seen to have “very problematic …

ESPAD – the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs – released their report for 2007 on march 26th. Data is collected on substance use among 15-16 ear old european in 35 countries. This is the fourth report of it`s kind.

Among the findings are that 82% of the students have drunk alcohol last 12 months, 61 last 30 days, which are more or less the same as in previous studies. Heavy episodic drinking have increased though from 35% in 2003, to 42% in 2007. During the last 15 …

While Gordon Brown has spoked against a minimum prize on alcohol, the SNP government in Scotland has included it in their plans for reducing alcohol harm in Scotland. Originally it was ment to be brought forward as part of a combined Criminal jsutice and Licensing Bill. But after coming under pressure from opposition the minority government has decided to separate the two. This means that the changes probably will be delayed.
Besides a minmum prize, the SND government also propose to ban discount deals on alcohol and restrict the display and …

The financial downturn also has its effect on drinking. Latest example of that comes from Ireland, where consumption droped 6 % in 2008. In 2007 the consumption increased by 2,5%. This means that the consumption is down to 1997-levles. Together with toughter economical times, increased cross-border shopping in the neighbouring territory of Northerns Ireland has contributed to the drop.
The irish government releases its budget next week, and the alcohol industry uses the latest sale figures to lobby for not increasing taxes. Government is expected to raise taxes in the budget.

The group that has gome through the swedish alcohol law, has send their recommendation to the swedish government. Most of the report focuses on licencing for selling alcohol in pubs and nightclubs. The group proposes that all muncipaliticies should have guidelines for how this should be regulated. Besides these they propose minor liberalisations, but that alcohol should not be served after 03.00 anywhere. Today the limit is 05.00, and several restaurants in the three major cities are open until then.
Leader of IOGT-NTO, Sven Olov Carlsson is pleased with the …