The AER Foundation has joined the groundswell urging the Federal Government to make alcohol health warning labels mandatory to help reduce alcohol related harms.

Earlier this week at Parliament House, the AER Foundation launched a model for alcohol health warning labels.  The labels include messages that drinking any alcohol can harm unborn babies, damage young developing brains and increase the risk of cancer.

The AER Foundation proposes:

• That there be at least five health warning labels, including one specifically relating to drinking during pregnancy
• Health warning labels should comprise both text and symbol
• Labels need to be placed consistently on the front of the product and clearly distinguishable from the rest of the label
• Labels should be implemented as part of a comprehensive public education regime
• Labels should be evaluated and refreshed at least every three years

It beats me – and yes, I’ve said this before – why a potentially lethal drug such as alcohol slips through the gap in terms of labeling requirements.

Pick up panadol, pick up an energy drink even, and you’ll find advice to consumers on safe useage and warnings about overdose.

As it stands, at least 43 countries require some form of on-product labelling, with 14 of these having mandatory health warning labels primarily around alcohol use and pregnancy.

Everyone knows that there are risks associated with unsafe consumption of alcohol; it’s essential that consumers are equipped with the right information to enable them to make informed decisions about their consumption. 

What do you think?  Do you think labels have the potential to influence your awareness or attitudes?  Email CAAN@adf.org.au

Until next week,

Sarah Jaggard
Community Mobilisation Policy Officer

The new Statement of Policy for Cumulative Impact has been published, and applies to liquor licence applications for new licensed premises and variations to existing licensed premises that were submitted since 4 August 2011.

Cumulative impact refers to the impacts that result from a concentration of licensed premises in a defined area. Evidence suggests that cumulative impact is associated with a range of both positive and negative outcomes that arise from the combination of many factors such as physical and environmental setting, the mix of premises and their operating conditions.

The positive outcomes can include the creation of a local identity or status as an entertainment destination, enhanced vitality of the area, economic benefits, and an increase in consumer choice.

However, the negative outcomes of cumulative impact can include crime, a loss of amenity, and antisocial behaviour. Potential cumulative impacts can vary between locations and depend on the number and type of licensed premises, and the capacity of the local area to accommodation the concentration.

This Statement of Policy enables the Director to assess the contribution of a new licensed premises, or the variation of an existing licensed premises to the cumulative impact of licensed premises in an area.

You can read the statement here.
 

Australia's population is ageing rapidly. Older Australians are more likely to drink on a daily basis, take multiple medications, have multiple medical problems and be socially isolated.

Despite this, older people are under-represented in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services. This seminar will look discuss these issues.

When: 5 September 2011, 10.00am–12.30pm (9.30am registration & refreshments)

Where: William Angliss Conference Centre, Level 5, 555 La Trobe Street (cnr King & La Trobe St), Melbourne

Bookings: tel. 1300 85 85 84 or send your name, organisation and contact phone number to druginfo@adf.org.au; bookings close at 4:00 pm on Thurs 1 Sep 2011.

Debate over warning labels on alcohol heats up
Sydney Morning Herald, 17 August 2011
Health warnings linking alcohol with dire outcomes such as brain damage and cancer have been backed by health groups but described as potentially ''alarming'' by an industry-backed group.

'Feeble' DrinkWise warnings challenged
The Shout, 17 August 2011
Health experts have urged the Federal Government to make new alcohol health warning labels mandatory and suggested that there be at least five health warning messages on regular display.

Greens push for volumetric alcohol tax
News.com.au, 17 August 2011
THE Australian Greens will use October's tax forum to push for all alcohol to be taxed according to volume rather than beverage type.
A volumetric tax for alcohol was one of the recommendations of the Henry tax review that was immediately rejected by Labor in mid-2010.

Average age of female drunks needing help is 36
Herald Sun, 15 August 2011
It is not just girls drinking themselves into hospital, with the average age of drunks needing help 36. They are also the more likely to overdose on pharmaceutical drugs.