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New CDC study: Alcohol a leading cause of death among U.S. working-age adults

July 28, 2014

CDC Study


A new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study has found that excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of premature mortality among working-age adults in the U.S., making it the 4th leading preventable cause of death.

The study's authors pointed out that while many people blame alcoholism for alcohol-related deaths, binge drinking plays a significant role in a majority of these deaths, contributing to both short-term and long-term causes of death. Binge drinking is common, with one in 6 U.S. adults engaging in the behavior regularly.

To prevent excessive alcohol consumption, the CDC recommends reducing access to alcohol, through effective policies such as increased alcohol taxes.





WHO Releases 2014 Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health

June 4, 2014

WHO Report Cover


The World Health Organization (WHO) released its 2014 global alcohol status and health report on May 12, detailing alarming new statistics on alcohol-related harm as well as member state policy responses. In response to the 3.3 million (5.9%) annual deaths worldwide caused by alcohol use,WHO reiterated its recommendations for evidence-based policy including: restrictions on alcohol marketing, access and availability; controls on alcohol pricing; and drunk-driving countermeasures.





Oregon Privatization Ballot Initiatives Dropped

June 4, 2014

 

Oregon State Liquor Store
Photo courtesy of oregonlive.com.

After failing to convince the Oregon Legislature to take up their cause, liquor privatization proponents dropped two November ballot initiatives to dismantle the state monopoly and allow grocery stores to sell liquor. Oregonians did not show much support for privatization thus far, despite the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and grocery chains Safeway and Fred Meyer pouring money into the privatization effort. Oregonians for Competition said they'll be back in the 2015 legislative session and if necessary, the 2016 ballot, but for now, the privatization battle is on hold.





NH Advocates Help Kill Alcohol Billboard Bill

May 9, 2014

nh house
New Hampshire Youth to Youth members
testifying before the House Commerce and
Consumer Affairs Committee on April 9,
2014.

The New Hampshire House acted to protect youth from alcohol advertising by killing SB 329, a bill that would have revoked a 25-year state ban on billboard alcohol advertising. Public health advocates were key to the bill's defeat, organizing a successful campaign that included youth testimony at a hearing before the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee. “Community coalitions and local groups work daily to prevent and reduce underage drinking and excessive alcohol consumption, we’re grateful to have the Legislature recognize and support those efforts,” Linda Saunders Paquette, executive director of the non-profit New Futures, said.

Read Alcohol Justice's letter in opposition to SB 329 here.