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Introduction: We examined the prevalence of price promotions (i.e., proportion of products on price promotion) and the magnitude of price promotions (i.e., size of the price discount compared to the regular price) among online alcohol retailers. Methods: In August 2023, we web‐scraped product information for all alcoholic beverages available for sale in the online stores of two leading alcohol retailers in Sydney, Australia. Products were classified into five primary alcohol categories: wine, spirits, beer, cider and premix drinks. We considered three types of price promotion: temporary price discounts (e.g., 'was $5 now $4'), multi‐buy discounts (e.g., buy one get one free) and 'any six' discounts (e.g., 5% off when purchased in a bundle of any six similar products). The prevalence and mean magnitude of price promotions were estimated overall and by product category and price promotion type. Results: In total, data for 11,184 products were collected. Of these, 62% were the subject of at least one of the assessed forms of price promotion. The most frequently price‐promoted category was wine (91% of products), followed by spirits (35%), premix drinks (30%), cider (28%) and beer (21%). Of all price promotions, 61% were 'any six' discounts, 31% were temporary price discounts, and 7% were multi‐buy discounts. Across all price promotions, the mean magnitude of price discount relative to the regular price was 11% and ranged from less than 1% to 71%. Discussion and Conclusions: Policymakers should consider restricting price promotions as part of a suite of strategies to reduce alcohol‐related harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective piece calls for health promotion action to regulate alcohol product marketing targeting women and create environments where it is possible to mitigate the harms of alcohol and protect women's health. Drawing on the Global Alcohol Action Plan in the context of the Australian National Women's Health Strategy 2020–30, we consider critical actions for gender-responsive health promotion to protect women from the ways alcohol companies market their products utilizing women's gendered social roles and entrenched stereotypes. We show how these subtle yet powerful gendered approaches to alcohol marketing have the potential for harm yet are not covered by the current mechanisms of the self-regulated Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code. We draw on the World Health Organization's 2024 Framework on Gender-Responsive Approaches to the Acceptability Availability and Affordability of Alcohol and make a call to regulate alcohol marketing targeting women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: A 'Black Out Rage Gallon' (borg) is a customised, individual alcoholic beverage popularised on TikTok, whereby half the water in a gallon jug is replaced with alcohol (usually spirits), flavourings, electrolytes and caffeine. We investigated the characteristics and portrayal of the emerging alcohol trend associated with the hashtag descriptor #borg on TikTok. Methods: We identified highly viewed TikTok videos with the #borg hashtag (n = 103) and conducted a content analysis, capturing viewer engagement ('likes', shares, comments), techniques used, characteristics of featured individuals, and the portrayal of alcohol and risky drinking behaviours. Results: Alcohol was visible in three quarters of the videos analysed (n = 78, average amount of alcohol present 865 mL per borg) and consumed in one third of the videos (n = 34). One quarter of videos (n = 25) promoted alleged benefits of borg consumption compared to other alcohol products or approaches to drinking, yet only nine videos included a warning about potential harms. Conclusions: The borg trend on TikTok may encourage risky drinking, by portraying it in a style that younger viewers are likely to see as fun and entertaining. So What?: We were able to gain a better understanding of how this potentially health harming activity is represented on a social media platform that is popular with young people. The speedy dissemination of this trend highlights the need to monitor, investigate and counter emerging trends. Concurrently, there is an urgent need for content restrictions to limit the visibility and promotion of risky alcohol consumption on TikTok. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many young people in Western countries are abstaining from alcohol consumption, but their Nigerian counterparts are adopting lifestyles that valorize alcohol use and heavy drinking rituals. This study explored heavy drinking practices and alcohol-related harms among young Nigerians (students and nonstudents) who use alcohol. Although participants were highly knowledgeable about the harms associated with heavy drinking, they reported heavy drinking and normalized intoxication. Most participants consumed between 3 and 12 bottles of beer, stout and other alcoholic beverages on a single occasion and suffered multiple incidents of intoxication and loss of control with adverse outcomes. Many participants suffered more than one health-related consequence, like vomiting, hangovers, and abdominal pain, while others fell sick, which incapacitated them for many days/weeks. Heavy drinking and intoxication also adversely impacted training and studies, as some participants could not go to work or attend lectures as planned. The findings highlighted the need for prevention and intervention strategies that seek to reduce heavy drinking and associated harms by targeting the social norms around heavy drinking specifically. Lessons learned in regions with youth drinking decline may inform public health strategies that can be implemented in Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study explores perspectives of on-pack alcohol warning labels, and how they might influence alcohol purchase and/or consumption behavior to inform culturally appropriate label design for effective behavior change. Methods New Zealand participants ≥18 years, who reported having purchased and consumed alcoholic beverages in the last month were recruited via a market research panel and grouped into 10 focus groups (n  = 53) by ethnicity (general population, Māori, and Pacific peoples), age group, and level of alcohol consumption. Participants were shown six potential alcohol health warning labels, with design informed by relevant literature, label framework, and stakeholder feedback. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed via qualitative (directed) content analysis. Results Effective alcohol labels should be prominent, featuring large red and/or black text with a red border, combining text with visuals, and words like "WARNING" in capitals. Labels should contrast with bottle color, be easily understood, and avoid excessive text and confusing imagery. Participants preferred specific health outcomes, such as heart disease and cancer, increasing message urgency and relevance. Anticipated behavior change included reduced drinking and increased awareness of harms, but some may attempt to mitigate warnings by covering or removing labels. Contextual factors, including consistent design and targeted labels for different beverages and populations, are crucial. There was a strong emphasis on collective health impacts, particularly among Māori and Pacific participants. Conclusions Our findings indicate that implementing alcohol warning labels, combined with comprehensive strategies like retail and social marketing campaigns, could effectively inform and influence the behavior of New Zealand's varied drinkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alcohol‐free drinks are suggested as healthy alternatives for alcohol consumption. To achieve benefits, alcohol‐free beverages must be consumed as a substitute for alcoholic beverages, not in addition. This study examined in a student sample (i) the frequency/quantity of alcohol(‐free) consumption; (ii) the relationship between alcohol‐free and alcohol consumption; (iii) alcohol‐free drinks as substitution or in addition to alcoholic drinks; and (iv) possible gender differences. Methods: Survey data regarding alcohol(‐free) consumption (May–June 2022) of Dutch university students (N = 4.318, females 70.2%; males 28.5%, average age 22.6 years [SD = 2.4]). Results: (i) A total of 42.8% of the students indicated they had never consumed alcohol‐free versus 10.1% who never consumed alcoholic beverages; (ii) the group who recently consumed alcohol‐free also most often recently consumed alcoholic beverages (42.7%). The group that had never consumed alcohol‐free drank on average more alcoholic beverages (M = 3.98 on a drinking day) compared to past and recent alcohol‐free drinkers (respectively, M = 3.44 and M = 3.59). (iii) Most students (54.9%) reported drinking alcohol‐free beverages in addition to alcohol, 17.4% indicated using it as a substitution. Students who consumed alcohol‐free as 'substitution' were older, more often living alone or with a partner, less often living with parents and more often involved in a steady relationship compared to students who consumed in 'addition'. (iv) No prominent gender differences were found. Discussion and Conclusions: The majority of students remained consuming the same number of alcoholic beverages since they started consuming alcohol‐free beverages, pointing to an addition effect. A small group did use alcohol‐free beverages as a substitute for their alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Previously identified national drinking patterns in Europe lack comparability and might be no longer be valid due to changes in economic conditions and policy frameworks. We aimed to identify the most recent alcohol drinking patterns in Europe based on comparable alcohol exposure indicators using a data‐driven approach, as well as identifying temporal changes and establishing empirical links between these patterns and indicators of alcohol‐related harm. Design: Data from the World Health Organization's monitoring system on alcohol exposure indicators were used. Repeated cross‐sectional hierarchical cluster analyses were applied. Differences in alcohol‐attributable harm between clusters of countries were analyzed via linear regression. Setting: European Union countries, plus Iceland, Norway and Ukraine, for 2000, 2010, 2015 and 2019. Participants/Cases: Observations consisted of annual country data, at four different time points for alcohol exposure. Harm indicators were only included for 2019. Measurements Alcohol exposure indicators included alcohol per capita consumption (APC), beverage‐specific consumption and prevalence of drinking status indicators (lifetime abstainers, current drinkers, former drinkers and heavy episodic drinking). Alcohol‐attributable harm was measured using age‐standardized alcohol‐attributable Disability‐Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost and deaths per 100 000 people. Findings The same six clusters were identified in 2019, 2015 and 2010, mainly characterized by type of alcoholic beverage and prevalence drinking status indicators, with geographical interpretation. Two‐thirds of the countries remained in the same cluster over time, with one additional cluster identified in 2000, characterized by low APC. The most recent drinking patterns were shown to be significantly associated with alcohol‐attributable deaths and DALY rates. Compared with wine‐drinking countries, the mortality rate per 100 000 people was significantly higher in Eastern Europe with high spirits and 'other' beverage consumption [ β^ = 90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 55–126], and in Eastern Europe with high lifetime abstainers and high spirits consumption (β^ = 42, 95% CI = 4–78). Conclusions: European drinking patterns appear to be clustered by level of beverage‐specific consumption, with heavy episodic drinkers, current drinkers and lifetime abstainers being distinguishing factors between clusters. Despite the overall stability of the clusters over time, some countries shifted between drinking patterns from 2000 to 2019. Overall, patterns of drinking in the European Union seem to be stable and partly determined by geographical proximity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: On 1 May 2018, Scotland introduced minimum unit pricing (MUP), a strength‐based floor price below which alcohol cannot be sold, throughout all alcoholic beverages. The legislation necessitates an evaluation of its impact across a range of outcomes that will inform whether MUP will continue beyond its sixth year. We measured the impact of MUP on per‐adult alcohol sales (as a proxy for consumption) after 3 years of implementation. Design, setting and participants: Controlled interrupted time‐series regression was used to assess the impact of MUP on alcohol sales in Scotland after 3 years of implementation, with England and Wales (EW) being the control group. In adjusted analyses, we included household disposable income, on‐trade alcohol sales (in off‐trade analyses) and substitution between drink categories (in drink category analyses) as covariates. Measurements: Weekly data were assessed on the volume of pure alcohol sold in Scotland and EW between January 2013 and May 2021, expressed as litres of pure alcohol per adult. The impact of MUP on total (on‐ and off‐trade combined), off‐trade and on‐trade alcohol sales was assessed separately. Results: The introduction of MUP in Scotland was associated with a 3.0% (95% confidence interval = 1.8−4.2%) net reduction in total alcohol sales per adult after adjustment for the best available geographical control, disposable income and substitution. This reflects a 1.1% fall in Scotland in contrast to a 2.4% increase in EW. The reduction in total alcohol sales in Scotland was driven by reduced sales of beer, spirits, cider and perry. The reduction in total sales was due to reductions in sales of alcohol through the off‐trade. There was no evidence of any change in on‐trade alcohol sales. Conclusion: Minimum unit pricing has been effective in reducing population‐level alcohol sales in Scotland in the 3 years since implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the extent to which people drinking at harmful levels responded to minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland in the way they, family members and those providing services anticipated they would. It examines data taken from a larger evaluation of the impact of MUP on people who are drinking at harmful levels. Qualitative interview data, (utilizing interviews and focus groups, with individuals, treatment services, and family members) was generated prior to the implementation of MUP in Scotland to provide insights into anticipated responses and comparable data generated across an extended 19-month period post-implementation and provided insights into actual responses. Overall, the data showed consistency between anticipated and actual responses, with fewer differences observed. In line with anticipated responses, many drinkers switched from cheap, strong ciders to other alcohol products, notably vodka. They consistently responded to the decrease in alcohol affordability by utilizing existing behavior such as managing finances and prioritizing spends on alcohol, including borrowing money, foregoing essentials, and using savings. There was less evidence of anticipated harmful consequences of MUP occurring, such as increased crime, switching to other drugs, or examples of acute withdrawal. Drinkers and those living and working with them, have a good command of how alcohol affordability is maintained or impacts on expenditure and other choices, and how they respond to any decrease in affordability including the introduction of minimum price policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the World Health Organization recommends visible and clear warning labels about the risks of alcohol consumption on containers and advertising, many of the currently used labels are too small to be visible. This study investigated the brain activity (using fMRI) and alcohol consumption intentions of French young men exposed to two warning formats displayed on alcoholic beverage advertisements: a small Text‐only Alcohol Warning (TAW) currently used in many countries, and a larger text‐and‐picture alcohol warning (PAW). Methods: Seventy‐four eligible 18–25‐year‐old male drinkers completed a face‐to‐face individual visit with a physician expert in addiction medicine. This was followed by the fMRI session during which they viewed 288 stimuli [96 alcohol advertisements with TAWs, the same 96 advertisements with PAWs, and 96 water advertisements (controls)] for 3 s each. If the advertisement made participants want ("yes")/do not want ("no") to consume the product, they pressed the corresponding button (self‐report responses). The number of "yes" responses was compared between advertisement types with a paired sample t‐test. Whole‐brain and region‐of‐interest (ROI) analyses of the fMRI data were performed. Results: Whole‐brain BOLD fMRI highlighted contrasting effects of PAWs and TAWs. Compared with TAWs, PAWs elicited more activation in the precuneus, angular gyrus, occipital, frontal and temporal areas, and less activation in the nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental areas, and putamen areas (regions of the reward circuit). The ROI analysis confirmed less activation in the reward circuit (left and right ventral tegmental areas, left and right nucleus accumbens) when viewing PAWs than TAWs. Analysis of the self‐report responses indicated that the desire to consume the advertised alcohol product was lower when PAWs were viewed (compared with TAWs) (T = 8.18, p < 10−11). Conclusions: This is the first fMRI study to assess the effect of different alcohol warning formats. Our findings show that compared with TAWs, stronger PAWs in advertisements elicited less activity in key regions of the reward system. This suggests that the effects may influence the desire to consume alcohol products (self‐report response analysis). These results could help policymakers who are interested in developing more effective labeling measures that target young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This paper provides an overview of the legal framework for alcohol produced for personal use in European Union (EU) Member States. Methods: We reviewed the national excise duty legislations of EU Member States and conducted an online mapping survey, in which 10 alcohol experts from seven EU Member States plus Iceland participated. Results: We found that the production of alcohol for personal use is tax exempt in 12 jurisdictions, with four countries stipulating a maximum volume of alcohol that can be produced for personal use. The most common alcoholic beverages concerned were beer and wine, while only one country set a tax exemption for spirits. The results were complemented by the alcohol expert mapping survey; tax exemptions were reported for two additional Member States. Conclusion: Legal exemptions for the production of alcohol for personal use were established in every second EU Member State and may therefore contribute to the unrecorded consumption of alcohol in these countries. In light of the detrimental health effects of alcohol, economic interests to support the local small-scale production of alcohol have to be carefully evaluated against public health interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Although previous studies have explored the association of drinking with gout risk, we sought to explore the dose-response relationship and the evidence between subtypes of alcoholic beverages and gout risk. Methods. The weekly alcoholic beverage consumption of patients in the UK Biobank was collected and calculated. The Cox regression model was applied to assess the effects of drinking alcohol in general and its subtypes on gout risk by calculating the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CIs. Additionally, the restricted cubic splines were used to estimate the dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and gout risk. To evaluate the robustness, we performed subgroup analysis across various demographic characteristics. Results. During a mean follow-up period of 11.7 years, a total of 5728 new incident gout cases were diagnosed among 331,865 participants. We found that light alcohol consumption was linked to a slight decrease in gout incidence among female individuals (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.94, P = 0.01), whereas there was no significant association in male individuals. Moreover, the dose-response relationship showed that drinking light red wine and fortified wine could reduce the gout risk, whereas beer or cider, champagne or white wine, and spirits increased the gout risk at any dose. Conclusion. Our study suggested a J-shaped dose-response relationship between drinking and gout risk in female individuals, but not in male individuals. For specific alcoholic beverages, light consumption of red wine and fortified wine was associated with reduced gout risk. These findings offer new insights into the roles of alcoholic beverages in gout incidence risk, although further validation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground: Production and use of no- and low-alcohol (NoLo) beverages has increased globally in recent years. Using data from a large international sample of people who drink alcohol, this study aimed to investigate patterns of NoLo drink consumption. Methods: The study utilized data from the 2022 Global Drug Survey (GDS). We used cross-tabulation and multiple correspondence analysis to understand usage patterns and identify key groupings. Results: Of the 15,686 participants reporting NoLo use, most (59%) reported drinking NoLo products less than monthly. Frequent NoLo consumption was more prevalent in relaxed environments (92%) compared to team environments (27%) and party settings (49%), with a significant relationship between heavy alcohol drinking prevalence and increased likelihood of engaging in NoLo alcohol consumption. Conclusions: We uncovered nuanced preferences for NoLo drinks driven by cultural, consumption, and economic factors. Heavy alcohol drinking and an increased likelihood of NoLo consumption is suggestive of a growing acceptance of NoLo beverages as substitutes for alcoholic beverages perhaps, for example, as a response to avoiding experiences of embarrassment due to drunkenness in particular social settings. This suggests a need for further research into public health policies promoting NoLo options to mitigate alcohol-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: A health warning label (HWL) cautioning about the link between alcohol and cancer may be able to communicate alcohol risks to consumers and potentially counter health‐oriented nutrition advertising on ready‐to‐drink alcoholic beverages. This study aimed to examine the independent and combined effects of nutrient content claims (e.g. 0 g sugar) and a HWL on perceived product characteristics and intentions to consume, and whether these effects differed by gender and age. Design: A between‐subjects randomized experiment. Participants were randomized to view one of six experimental label conditions: nutrient content claims plus nutrition declaration (NCC + ND), ND only, NCC + ND + HWL, ND + HWL, HWL only and no NCC, ND or HWL, all on a ready‐to‐drink (RTD) vodka‐based soda container. Setting and participants: Alcohol consumers (n = 5063; 52% women) in Canada aged 18–64 recruited through a national online panel. Measurements Participants completed ratings of perceived product characteristics, perceived product health risks, and intentions to try, buy, binge and drink the product. Findings Compared with the reference condition NCC + ND (current policy scenario in Canada), the other five experimental label conditions were associated with lower ratings for perceiving the product as healthy. All experimental conditions with a HWL were associated with lower product appeal, higher risk perceptions and reduced intentions to try, buy and binge. The experimental condition with a HWL only was associated with intentions to consume fewer cans in the next 7 days (β = −0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.37,−0.08) versus the reference. Few interactions were observed, suggesting that label effects on outcomes were similar by gender and age. Conclusions: Health warning labels on alcohol packaging appear to be associated with lower product appeal, higher perceived health risks and reduced consumption intentions, even in the presence of nutrient content claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the early impact of changes to the UK alcohol tax system, implemented in August 2023, on the strength and price of alcoholic products available for sale on the website of the largest supermarket in England. Our comparative descriptive study using longitudinal brand-level data was not preregistered and should be considered exploratory. Data were collected weekly (May to October 2023) using automated web scraping tools. Outcomes were product strength (% alcohol by volume [ABV]) and price (per 10 mL of pure alcohol and per litre of product). We undertook paired t -tests, two-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests, and quantile regression to compare outcomes before and after the tax changes. Beer, cider, spirits, and ready-to-drinks (RTDs) were analysed separately. There was a reduction in the mean strength of beer, driven by manufacturers reformulating a small number of weaker beers, moving them into a lower tax band (<3.5%ABV). The mean price per 10 mL of alcohol and per litre of product was significantly higher after the new tax system for beer, cider, and spirits and significantly lower for RTDs. Increases in the price of beer tended to occur across the entire distribution, whereas increases in the price of cider occurred among more expensive products. Changes to product strength tended to occur among weaker products near the new lowest tax band, suggesting tax bands may be a potential stimulus for change. Reformulation of stronger products would have better public health potential. Longer term monitoring, including data on purchasing/consumption, is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings on the effects of alcohol warning labels (AWLs) as a harm reduction tool have been mixed. This systematic review synthesized extant literature on the impact of AWLs on proxies of alcohol use. PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMED, and MEDLINE databases and reference lists of eligible articles. Following PRISMA guidelines, 1,589 articles published prior to July 2020 were retrieved via database and 45 were via reference lists (961 following duplicate removal). Article titles and abstracts were screened, leaving the full text of 96 for review. The full-text review identified 77 articles meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria which are included here. Risk of bias among included studies was examined using the Evidence Project risk of bias tool. Findings fell into five categories of alcohol use proxies including knowledge/awareness, perceptions, attention, recall/recognition, attitudes/beliefs, and intentions/behavior. Real-world studies highlighted an increase in AWL awareness, alcohol-related risk perceptions (limited findings), and AWL recall/recognition post-AWL implementation; these findings have decreased over time. Conversely, findings from experimental studies were mixed. AWL content/formatting and participant sociodemographic factors also appear to influence the effectiveness of AWLs. Findings suggest conclusions differ based on the study methodology used, favoring real-world versus experimental studies. Future research should consider AWL content/formatting and participant sociodemographic factors as moderators. AWLs appear to be a promising approach for supporting more informed alcohol consumption and should be considered as one component in a comprehensive alcohol control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The study aimed to estimate the impact of introducing a draught alcohol‐free beer, thereby increasing the relative availability of these products, on alcohol sales and monetary takings in bars and pubs in England. Design: Randomised crossover field trial. Setting: England. Participants: Fourteen venues that did not previously sell draught alcohol‐free beer. Intervention and comparator: Venues completed two intervention periods and two control periods in a randomised order over 8 weeks. Intervention periods involved replacing one draught alcoholic beer with an alcohol‐free beer. Control periods operated business as usual. Measurements The primary outcome was mean weekly volume (in litres) of draught alcoholic beer sold. The secondary outcome was mean weekly revenue [in GBP (£)] from all drinks. Analyses adjusted for randomised order, special events, season and busyness. Findings The adjusted mean difference in weekly sales of draught alcoholic beer was −20 L [95% confidence interval (CI) = −41 to +0.4], equivalent to a 4% reduction (95% CI = 8% reduction to 0.1% increase) in the volume of alcoholic draught beer sold when draught alcohol‐free beer was available. Excluding venues that failed at least one fidelity check resulted in an adjusted mean difference of −29 L per week (95% CI = −53 to −5), equivalent to a 5% reduction (95% CI = 8% reduction to 0.8% reduction). The adjusted mean difference in weekly revenue was +61 GBP per week (95% CI = −328 to +450), equivalent to a 1% increase (95% CI = 5% decrease to 7% increase) when draught alcohol‐free beer was available. Conclusions: Introducing a draught alcohol‐free beer in bars and pubs in England reduced the volume of draught alcoholic beer sold by 4% to 5%, with no evidence of the intervention impacting net revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard labour, toil, and the pain and suffering of social and corporeal violence branded enslaved experiences in the slaveholding world of the plantation South. But enslaved people were also simultaneously in constant motion in the making of insuppressible alternative worlds that fundamentally endangered the fragile system of chattel slavery. In everyday acts of self-interest and refusal, enslaved people built and sustained a competing world of fugitive consciousness and practice that was often bolstered, emboldened, and reinforced by the consumption and possession of spirituous liquors. This essay treats Black people's relationships with alcohol during the period of enslavement as an analytic for locating contestations of power and Black social life – or, an often overlooked yet revealing window into the transgressive underworlds of enslaved and fugitive making. Despite great efforts to control their bodies, movement, and intake, enslaved people poured, drank, and put alcohol to use in their creation of uncapturable moments and spaces of self-making, pleasure, sociality, and resistance. Whether joining outlaw parties, trading in forbidden clandestine economies, fleeing the confines of plantation borders, living maroon lives, or plotting and executing revolt, those sharing in these fugitive pursuits viewed alcohol as a valuable ingredient in the advancement of free life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Past research has investigated factors that condition the association between self-control and antisocial behavior. Absent from consideration has been the possible moderating effect of alcohol intoxication. Methods: Using a placebo-controlled experimental design, we explore whether alcohol intoxication moderates the association between self-control and two vignette-based measures of reactive aggression. Results: Self-control is negatively associated with reactive aggression among sober participants, but the association is no different from zero among participants assigned to intoxicated and placebo conditions. For the vignette revealing stronger evidence of a moderating effect of alcohol intoxication, the negative effect of self-control on reactive aggression becomes non-significant starting at a breath alcohol concentration that amounts to approximately one alcoholic beverage. Conclusions: This study provides initial evidence that alcohol intoxication diminishes the association between self-control and reactive aggression, adding to existing research focused on factors that condition the association between self-control and antisocial behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The editorial discusses the genetic underpinnings of alcohol-related behaviors, highlighting the complexity and heterogeneity of individual responses to alcohol. Through genomic studies, researchers have identified key genetic factors associated with alcohol use traits and disorders, such as alcohol-metabolizing enzyme variants. A recent study in the UK Biobank identified four genetic factors related to alcohol consumption, shedding light on the underlying biology of alcohol use behaviors. This research contributes to a better understanding of the genetic architecture of alcohol-related traits and may inform future prevention and treatment strategies. [Extracted from the article]

Recently, the alcohol hangover has been accepted by the International Classification of Diseases – 11th revision as a separate 'child entity' to alcohol intoxication, a disease. Currently there are no marketed hangover treatments with support for clinical efficacy. Furthermore, diverse perspectives exist among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and alcohol consumers regarding the necessity and desirability of developing such treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol is a widely consumed substance in the United States, however its effect on aging remains understudied. In this study of young adults, we examined whether cumulative alcohol consumption, i.e., alcohol years of beer, liquor, wine, and total alcohol, and recent binge drinking, were associated with four measures of age-related epigenetic changes via blood DNA methylation. A random subset of study participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study underwent DNA methylation profiling using the Illumina MethylationEPIC Beadchip. Participants with alcohol consumption and methylation data at examination years 15 (n = 1,030) and 20 (n = 945) were included. Liquor and total alcohol consumption were associated with a 0.31-year (P = 0.002) and a 0.12-year (P = 0.013) greater GrimAge acceleration (GAA) per additional five alcohol years, while beer and wine consumption observed marginal (P = 0.075) and no associations (P = 0.359) with GAA, respectively. Any recent binge drinking and the number of days of binge drinking were associated with a 1.38-year (P < 0.001) and a 0.15-year (P < 0.001) higher GAA, respectively. We observed statistical interactions between cumulative beer (P < 0.001) and total alcohol (P = 0.004) consumption with chronological age, with younger participants exhibiting a higher average in GAA compared to older participants. No associations were observed with the other measures of epigenetic aging. These results suggest cumulative liquor and total alcohol consumption and recent binge drinking may alter age-related epigenetic changes as captured by GAA. With the increasing aging population and widespread consumption of alcohol, these findings may have potential implications for lifestyle modification to promote healthy aging.

Background and aims: On 1 May 2018, Scotland introduced a minimum unit price (MUP) of £0.50 for alcohol, with one UK unit of alcohol being 10 ml of pure ethanol. This study measured the association between MUP and changes in the volume of alcohol‐related ambulance call‐outs in the overall population and in call‐outs subsets (night‐time call‐outs and subpopulations with higher incidence of alcohol‐related harm). Design: An interrupted time−series (ITS) was used to measure variations in the daily volume of alcohol‐related call‐outs. We performed uncontrolled ITS on both the intervention and control group and a controlled ITS built on the difference between the two series. Data were from electronic patient clinical records from the Scottish Ambulance Service. Setting and cases: Alcohol‐related ambulance call‐outs (intervention group) and total ambulance call‐outs for people aged under 13 years (control group) in Scotland, from December 2017 to March 2020. Measurements Call‐outs were deemed alcohol‐related if ambulance clinicians indicated that alcohol was a 'contributing factor' in the call‐out and/or a validated Scottish Ambulance Service algorithm determined that the call‐out was alcohol‐related. Findings No statistically significant association in the volume of call‐outs was found in both the uncontrolled series [step change = 0.062, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.012, 0.0135 P = 0.091; slope change = −0.001, 95% CI = −0.001, 0.1 × 10−3P = 0.139] and controlled series (step change = −0.01, 95% CI = −0.317, 0.298 P = 0.951; slope change = −0.003, 95% CI = −0.008, 0.002 P = 0.257). Similarly, no significant changes were found for the night‐time series or for any population subgroups. Conclusions: There appears to be no statistically significant association between the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Scotland and the volume of alcohol‐related ambulance call‐outs. This was observed overall, across subpopulations and at night‐time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Sweeping policy changes during the COVID-19 pandemic increased alcohol availability through permitted to-go sales, potentially posing unique risks to college students. While to-go sales may make binge drinking more convenient, little remains known about these practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether drinking establishments' to-go sales practices are associated with their other operational practices and state policy. Method This cross-sectional analysis included 221 randomly selected bars, nightclubs, and restaurants within two miles of a large public university. Telephone interviews assessed establishment practices, and the Alcohol Policy Information System provided state alcohol to-go laws. Regression models tested whether establishment to-go sales practices were associated with their business practices (logistic regression) and state policy (generalized estimating equations). Results Nearly one-half (44.8%) of drinking establishments sold alcohol to-go. Establishments with higher vodka prices had nearly 30% higher odds of selling spirits to-go (aOR  = 1.29) and establishments offering happy hours specials had more than twice the odds of selling beer (aOR  = 2.22), wine (aOR  = 2.53), and spirits to-go (aOR  = 2.60). Additionally, establishments that implemented physical distance requirements had higher odds of selling wine to-go (aOR  = 3.00). State to-go laws were associated with higher odds of selling wine (aOR  = 3.99) and spirits to-go (aOR  = 5.43) in the full sample and beer to-go (aOR  = 4.92) in urban counties. Conclusions Establishments that sell alcohol to-go tend to engage in other practices designed to drive sales. Evaluations of alcohol to-go sales laws on risky consumption among priority populations, including college students, are urgently needed to inform decisions about how to appropriately regulate sales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Alcohol marketing is a commercial driver of alcohol use, including among youth. This study sought to quantify and characterize alcohol advertising on broadcast television in Canada. Methods Open-source television program logs for January to December 2018 submitted to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission by 147 stations with alcohol advertisements were analyzed. Results Overall, 501 628 alcohol advertisements were broadcast. Four companies accounted for 83% of advertisements, namely, Anheuser-Busch in Bev (33.7%), Molson Coors (22.7%), Diageo (16.1%), and Arterra Wines Canada (10.8%). On conventional stations, advertising was highest on French-language stations [Median (Mdn) = 3224; interquartile range (IQR) = 2262] followed by those with programming in foreign/mixed languages (Mdn = 2679; IQR = 219) and English-language stations (Mdn = 1955; IQR = 1563). On speciality stations, advertising was most frequent on those primarily focused on sports programming (Mdn = 8036; IQR = 7393), movies and scripted shows (Mdn = 7463; IQR = 5937), and cooking (Mdn = 5498; IQR = 4032). On weekdays, 33% of alcohol ads aired from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 9 p.m. and on weekends, 52% aired from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. when children or adolescents are more likely to be watching television. On youth-oriented stations (n  = 4), 7937 alcohol advertisements were broadcast with most airing from 9 p.m. to midnight (44–45%) or 12–6 a.m. (50%) on both weekdays and weekends. Conclusions While few alcohol advertisements were broadcast on youth-oriented stations, young people in Canada are likely exposed to such advertising on programming intended for older or general audiences (e.g. sports). More research is needed to ascertain the extent to which broadcast television constitutes a source of alcohol advertising exposure among youth and to inform policies aimed at protecting them from the influence of such exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: The objective is to evaluate the association between various indicators of alcohol consumption and the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet among the Spanish adult population. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 44,834 participants ≥ 15 years of age from the 2017 National Health Survey and the 2020 European Health Survey in Spain. Alcohol patterns were defined based on (1) average intake: individuals were classified as low risk (1–20 g/day in men and 1–10 g/day in women) and high risk (> 20 g/day in men or > 10 g/day in women), (2) binge drinking, and (3) alcoholic beverage preference. Non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet was defined as scoring < 7 points on an adapted Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener index (range 0–10). Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates. Results: Compared to non-drinkers, low and high-risk drinkers were more likely to report non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet: ORs 1.35 (95% CI 1.23; 1.49) and 1.54 (95% CI 1.34; 1.76), respectively. Similarly, reports of binge drinking less than once a month was associated with higher likelihood of non-adherence (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.04; 1.31). Individuals reporting no preference for a specific beverage and those with a preference for beer or for spirits had lower adherence: ORs 1.18 (95% CI 1.05; 1.33), 1.31 (95% CI 1.17; 1.46), and 1.72 (95% CI 1.17; 2.54), respectively, while a preference for wine showed no association (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.90; 1.13). Conclusion: Alcohol consumption, even in low amounts, is associated with lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, alcoholic beverages should not be included in measures that define the Mediterranean diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One enforcement strategy used to address illegal sales of alcohol to intoxicated patrons (i.e., overservice) is Place of Last Drink (POLD). When law enforcement responds to an alcohol-related incident, they ask persons involved in the incident where they had their last drink; POLD data can then be used to track patterns of overservice. Methods: We evaluated potential effects of a POLD initiative in one state (USA) on the attitudes and perceptions of serving staff (i.e., bartenders and servers) about their experiences in refusing sales to intoxicated customers. We conducted interviews with 44 serving staff across 24 communities (14 communities that participated in the POLD initiative and 10 comparison communities). We analyzed the interview transcripts using a qualitative matrix to identify major themes. Results: We found few differences across the two study conditions, with interview participants having no apparent awareness of POLD and many stating that overservice occurs frequently without law enforcement getting involved. One difference we identified was serving staff from communities in the POLD initiative reporting generally positive experiences with their managers when refusing sales to intoxicated patrons, whereas serving staff in comparison communities more commonly saying they were overruled by their managers. It is possible that these differences are the result of the POLD initiative; however, more research is needed. Conclusions: In general, serving staff across communities share many similar perceptions and attitudes around overservice. These findings can inform future implementation of POLD and other strategies to reduce overservice of alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 'beer goggles' phenomenon describes sexual attraction to individuals when alcohol intoxicated whom we would not desire when sober. One possible explanation of the effect is that alcohol impairs the detection of facial asymmetry, thus lowering the drinker's threshold for physical attraction. Aims: We therefore tested the hypotheses that higher breath alcohol drinkers would award more generous ratings of attractiveness to asymmetrical faces, and be poorer at discriminating bilateral facial asymmetry than less intoxicated counterparts. Methods: Ninety-nine male and female bar patrons rated 18 individual faces for attractiveness and symmetry. Each type of rating was given twice, once per face with an enhanced asymmetry and once again for each face in its natural form. Participants then judged which of two same-face versions (one normal, the other perfectly symmetrised) was more attractive and, in the final task, more symmetrical. Results: Alcohol had no influence on attractiveness judgements but higher blood alcohol concentrations were associated with higher symmetry ratings. Furthermore, as predicted, heavily intoxicated individuals were less able to distinguish natural from perfectly symmetrised face versions than more sober drinkers. Conclusions: Findings therefore suggest alcohol impairs face asymmetry detection, but it seems that this perceptual distortion does not contribute to the 'beer goggles' phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a mass fatality incident (MFI), effective preservation of tissue samples is the cornerstone for downstream DNA-based identification of victims. This is commonly achieved through freezing of tissue samples excised from bodies/fragmented remains which may be buried or stored in refrigerated containers. This may, however, not be possible depending on the nature of the MFI; in particular, during armed conflict/war where extended periods of electrical outages would be expected. The present study compared the effectiveness of long-term tissue preservation at ambient temperatures using two commercial products (non-iodized kitchen salt and a 40% alcoholic beverage) against a chemical preservative (Allprotect™ Tissue Reagent (Qiagen, Germantown, MD, USA)) and freezing at −20 °C. Bovine muscle tissue, used as a proxy for human tissue, was treated with the four preservation methods and sampled at six different time-points over a 24-month period. All four methods were able to preserve the bovine tissue, generally yielding STR-PCR (Short Tandem Repeat-Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplicons > 200 bp in size even at the end of 24 months. Gel electrophoresis, however, indicated that salt was more effective in preserving DNA integrity with high-molecular-weight DNA clearly visible as compared to the low-molecular-weight DNA smears observed in the other methods. This study also proposes a simple process for the rapid and low-cost preservation of tissue samples for long-term storage at ambient temperatures in support of post-incident victim identification efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bu çalışmada etil alkol içeren gıdaların fıkhî hükmünün ortaya koyulması amaçlanmıştır. Bunun için öncelikle etil alkolün fıkhî hükmü tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Etil alkolün birtakım kimyasal işlemler ile elde edilmesi ve gıda üretiminde dışardan katılmak suretiyle kullanılması yeni bir meseledir. Dolayısıyla gerek etil alkolün gerek farklı amaçlarla içerisine katıldığı gıdaların dinî hükmü klasik fıkıh kaynaklarında doğrudan yer almamaktadır. Çalışmada öncelikle yaygın bir şekilde gıdalarda bulunan alkoller hakkında bilgi verildikten sonra etil alkol ve gıdalarda bulunma şekilleri ele alınmıştır. İçerisinde etil alkol bulunan gıdaların dinî hükmünün tespit edilebilmesi için etil alkol, İslâm’ın haram kıldığı içkiler ile mukayeseli olarak incelenmiş ve konu bu temel üzerine bina edilmiştir. Alkol, organik kimya alanında benzer özelliklere sahip kimyasal bileşiklerin ortak adıdır. Ancak alkol türevleri arasında yegâne sarhoş edici olan alkol türü, sadece etil alkoldür. Etil alkolün dışındaki alkol çeşitleri, sarhoş edici etki yapmayan ancak kimyasal olarak alkol ismini alan katkı maddeleridir. Bu sebeple İslâm fıkhında alkol denildiğinde kastedilen ve dinî hükmü tartışmalı olan etil alkoldür. Etil alkol, iyi bir çözücü olduğu, akışkanlığı hızlandırdığı ve koruyucu özelliği bulunduğu için gıda maddelerinin üretiminde çözücü ve koruyucu olarak da kullanılmaktadır. İçerisinde etil alkol bulunan gıdaların fıkhî hükmü, helâl gıda alanındaki temel meselelerden birisini oluşturmaktadır. Konuyla ilgili olarak iki temel unsur belirleyici rol oynamaktadır. Bunlar ürünlerin içerisine dışarıdan katılan etil alkolün necis olup olmadığı ve son aşamada ortaya çıkan ürünün sarhoş edici nitelik taşıyıp taşımadığıdır. Bazı âlimler etil alkolün necis olduğunu ve içerisine katıldığı maddeleri de necis hale getireceğini kabul etmişlerdir. Ancak çoğunluğu teşkil eden görüşe göre gerek manevî necis olması gerekse hamr ile etil alkolün birbirinden farklı maddeler olması sebebiyle etil alkol temiz kabul edilmiştir. Yapılan araştırmalar neticesinde etil alkolün hükmüyle alakalı olarak klasik fıkıhtaki içecekler hakkındaki görüşlerin ışık tuttuğu iki farklı yaklaşım tespit edilmiş ve bu yaklaşımlar delilleriyle birlikte incelenmiştir. Araştırmanın nihayetinde etil alkolün İslâm’da kesin bir şekilde haram kılınan hamr (şarap) ile tam olarak aynı olmadığı kanaatine ulaşılmıştır. Etil alkol içeren gıdaların helallik durumu, içerdiği etil alkolün miktarı, bulunma şekli, dışarıdan katılıyor ise katılma amacı ve gıda içerisindeki işlevi gibi parametreler dikkate alınarak değerlendirilmiştir.

Background: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns arose about a possible rise in alcohol consumption. Early surveys, however, more commonly pointed towards a decrease of alcohol use. But studies based on self-reports may underestimate alcohol use. They also depend on the population sampled. Because of border closures and gastronomy restrictions, countries with centralised alcohol sales provided a unique opportunity to study total domestic consumption during the pandemic without influence of private import or reliance on self-reports. Aims: We examined the correlation between alcohol sales and national COVID-19 restrictions in three such countries, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Method: We conducted this study as a mirror image study, comparing alcohol sales during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic with the two preceding years. We explored hours of daylight/season as potential confounders. Results: We found no relevant change in alcohol sales during the pandemic years for Finland or Sweden. For Norway, there was a level-change in sales, which could be explained by decreased imports. Sales followed a seasonal pattern. In all three countries, the initial pandemic increase in alcohol sales coincided with an underlying annually recurring seasonal variation. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic had less of an impact on alcohol consumption in the three Nordic countries than could intuitively be expected. The increase of alcohol sales at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a seasonal rise following a pre-pandemic pattern. Therefore, caution should be exercised with drawing conclusions from data with a short time perspective to avoid attribution bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol marketing influences drinking practices, and this helps shape how gender identities are constructed. This paper presents research exploring how women who are sober manage and negotiate their non-drinking and sober identities in neo-liberal contexts that market alcohol products and consumption as a defining feature of feminine identities. Semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 15) and online content produced by sober women active in the positive sobriety community on the social media platform Instagram were analysed using thematic analysis. Women negotiated marketing messages within their everyday experiences of sobriety, with associations between drinking and motherhood, female friendship and empowerment, discussed as impacting their drinking, lived experience and sense of self. They negotiated such messages, and created alternative ways of 'doing femininity' as sober women, through distancing themselves from their previous drinking identities; rejecting, reworking and countering marketing that links alcohol use to femininity; and alternative consumption practices. Instagram allowed women to publicly critique and counter marketing messages in ways that unlinked alcohol use, but not consumption more generally, from femininity, in traditional and news ways. Marketing regulation should consider how those experiencing problematic alcohol use may be particularly vulnerable to marketing messages, in ways that are gendered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The availability of appropriate alcohol-related stimuli is a crucial concern for the evaluation and treatment of patients with alcohol dependence syndrome. The study aimed to standardize alcohol-related images with cultural relevance to the Indian setting. Methods: We produced an extensive database of 203 pictures, the Indian Alcohol Photo Stimuli (IAPS), portraying different categories and types of alcoholic beverages, after removing the confounding effects of low-level stimulus parameters (e.g. brightness and blurriness). Thirty patients with alcohol dependence syndrome, currently abstinent, rated each image on visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no craving) to 10 (extreme), to determine how typical the stimuli served as craving-relevant stimuli. Results: The mean VAS scores across beverages (ordered from highest to lowest) were whiskey >rum >beer >wine >vodka. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference in mean VAS scores across beverages (F = 2.93, df = 2.9/86.3, P = 0.039, Greenhouse--Geisser corrected); the effect size for the difference was small (ηp² = 0.092). A post hoc Bonferroni shows significantly higher VAS scores with whiskey compared with vodka (P = 0.029), whereas the scores were similar across other beverages. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA for interaction between type of alcoholic beverages and activity was not significant (F = 2.67, df = 2.6/76.6, P = 0.061, Greenhouse--Geisser corrected). Conclusions: We created a standardized alcohol-related image database for studying cue-reactivity paradigms in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Further research is needed to validate the impact of image features on cue reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is a well-established association between alcohol use, misuse, intoxication and self-harm, the latter of which is associated with suicide. This study aimed to better understand the association between proximity to alcohol outlets and the likelihood of young people presenting to hospital following self-harm. Methods: This was a nationwide retrospective geospatial study using data from the New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure using population-level data for 10–29-year-olds for the 2018 and 2017 calendar years. Presentations to hospital following self-harm were identified using the national minimum data set. Proximity to alcohol outlets was defined in road network distance (in kilometres) and ascertained using Integrated Data Infrastructure geospatial data. Alternative measures of proximity were employed in sensitivity analyses. Complete-case two-level random intercept logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between alcohol outlet proximity and hospital presentation for self-harm. Adjusted models included sex, age, ethnicity, area-level deprivation, urbanicity and distance to nearest medical facility. Analyses were also stratified by urbanicity. Results: Of the 1,285,368 individuals (mean [standard deviation] age 20.0 [5.9] years), 7944 (0.6%) were admitted to hospital for self-harm. Overall, the odds of presenting to hospital for self-harm significantly decreased as the distance from the nearest alcohol outlet increased, including in adjusted models (adjusted odds ratio 0.980; 95% confidence interval = [0.969–0.992]); the association was robust to changes in the measure of alcohol proximity. The effect direction was consistent across all categorisations of urbanicity, but only statistically significant in large urban areas and rural areas. Conclusions: The findings of this study show a clear association between young people's access to alcohol outlets and presentation to hospital for self-harm and may provide a mandate for government policies and universal interventions to reduce young people's access to alcohol outlets. Further research regarding causative mechanisms is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandatory standardized nutritional information on alcoholic drinks such as energy, or calorie labelling, is a population-level public health measure aimed at addressing obesity and alcohol consumption. In the UK, such measures are not a statutory requirement, but some alcohol brands do include references to calories on their products and in their marketing materials, as a marketing strategy to encourage sales and consumption. This article presents findings of semi-structured individual (N  = 43) and group (N  = 9) interviews with 78 women living in the UK that aimed to gain insight into their attitudes towards calorie-based alcohol brand marketing, and alcohol calorie labelling (ACL) as a health policy. Three themes are presented that outline how women rejected calorie marketing and labelling; the potential positive and unintended impact on alcohol consumption and dietary/eating practices; and how views on calorie labelling were intertwined with women's attitudes towards marketing that draws on calorie messaging. A feminist anti-diet discourse, as well as a discourse of pleasure through alcohol consumption, was at play in women's accounts, which may limit the intended aims of ACLs. It is concluded that ACLs should be considered within the wider commercial context of alcohol marketing that draws on calories to promote sales and consumption, consideration of the gendered factors that may lead some to reject ACLs as a health policy, and the potential for unintended consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The production, distribution and consumption of many fast-moving consumer goods contribute substantially to climate change, principally through releasing greenhouse gas emissions. Here we consider just some of the ways that alcohol—already a key contributor to an array of health, social and economic burdens—exacerbates environmental harms and climate change. We explore current evidence on alcohol production as a resource- and energy-intensive process, contributing to significant environmental degradation through water usage and other carbon emission costs. We argue that the impacts of alcohol production on climate change have been minimally explored by researchers. Yet the extent of the unfolding catastrophe beholds us to consider all available ways to mitigate unnecessary emissions, including from products such as alcohol. We then turn to suggestions for a research agenda on this topic, including investigations of commercial determinants, inequalities and product advice to help consumers choose lower-carbon options. We conclude by arguing that public health researchers already have an array of methodological expertise and experience that is well placed to produce the evidence needed to inform regulation and efforts by alcohol producers and consumers to minimize their contributions to environmental harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The aim of the article is to evaluate the consumption and frequency of drinking wine in the countries of the Visegrad Four. Materials and methods. The data were obtained from the sources: Standard EU Alcohol Survey / Deep Seas, DATACube, Public Database VDB, Wine Consumption per Capita in Hungary, Wine Consumption per Capita in Poland. The following methods were used: The Kruskal Wallis test, Analysis of Variance Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney test. Results and discussion. Wine consumption in the individual countries of the Visegrad Four varies. Hungary has achieved the highest consumption in the last period, where the average consumption of wine in pure alcohol for the last decade (2010-2021) is 3.2 liters. The analysis shows that when evaluating all age categories in terms of frequency of wine drinking, the largest group (18.42%) are wine consumers who drink wine 2-5 days a year. The second largest group (16.58%) are wine consumers who drink wine 1-2 days a week. The third group are consumers (16.38%) with a frequency of drinking 2-3 days a month. From the point of view of the comparison of individual countries, it follows that in all four analyzed countries consumers consume wine occasionally but the most in Poland. From the point of view of regular consumption, the Czech Republic stands out. Wine consumers in Hungary and Slovakia have the same behaviour in contrast to the Czech Republic and Poland. On the other hand wine consumers in the Czech Republic and Poland have similar consumer behaviour. Among other comparisons of the states, there are significant differences in wine consumption in terms of the frequency of alcohol drinking. Conclusion. Czech, Slovak and Hungarian winemakers who are starting to expand into the Polish market have a chance. Hungary has recorded the highest wine consumption in recent years, with an average consumption of 3.2 liters of pure alcohol per capita. Due to the globally decreasing area of vineyards, the demand as well as the prices of wine will increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A mandatory pregnancy warning was introduced in Australia 2020 to advise the public of the potential harms of prenatal alcohol exposure. Due to industry pressure, a 3‐year implementation period was granted. The aim of this study was to analyse the extent to which the mandatory warning had been applied to ready‐to‐drink (RTD) alcohol product labels almost 2 years into the implementation period. Methods: The sample included 491 RTD products sold in three alcohol stores in Sydney, Australia in March–May 2022. Identified warnings were categorised as a mandated warning, a DrinkWise warning (an industry‐developed option) or 'Other' warning. Analyses were conducted overall and by RTD type. Results: Almost all (94%) of the sampled RTD products had some form of pregnancy warning, but only 36% displayed the mandatory version. Of the non‐mandatory warnings, 74% were DrinkWise warnings (42% of total sample) and 27% were 'Other' warnings (15% of total sample). There was no apparent relationship between alcohol content and likelihood of displaying a mandatory warning. Discussion and Conclusions: Two years into the three‐year implementation period for the mandatory pregnancy warning, only around one‐third of the assessed RTD products exhibited compliance. Uptake of the mandatory pregnancy warning appears to be slow. Continued monitoring will be required to determine whether the alcohol industry meets its obligations within and beyond the implementation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoidance stress coping, defined as persistent internal and/or external avoidance of stress-related stimuli, is a key feature of anxiety- and stress-related disorders, and contributes to increases in alcohol misuse after stress exposure. Previous work using a rat model of predator odor stress avoidance identified corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling via CRF Type 1 receptors (CRF1) in the CeA, as well as CeA projections to the lateral hypothalamus (LH) as key mediators of conditioned avoidance of stress-paired contexts and/or increased alcohol drinking after stress. Here, we report that CRF1-expressing CeA cells that project to the LH are preferentially activated in male and female rats that show persistent avoidance of predator odor stress-paired contexts (termed Avoider rats), and that chemogenetic inhibition of these cells rescues stress-induced increases in anxiety-like behavior and alcohol self-administration in male and female Avoider rats. Using slice electrophysiology, we found that prior predator odor stress exposure blunts inhibitory synaptic transmission and increases synaptic drive in CRF1 CeA-LH cells. In addition, we found that CRF bath application reduces synaptic drive in CRF1 CeA-LH cells in Non-Avoiders only. Collectively, these data show that CRF1 CeA-LH cells contribute to stress-induced increases in anxiety-like behavior and alcohol self-administration in male and female Avoider rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Consumers generally lack access to information on alcoholic beverages, in spite of it being readily available for food and non-alcoholic beverages. Given the rights of consumers, and as with other products harmful to the population, there have been increasing calls for health warnings to be placed on alcoholic beverages, similar to those implemented on tobacco products. The aim of our research was to assess whether knowledge and awareness of the risks and harms associated with alcohol can be improved with a mobile app. Methods: Intervention was conducted using VKJ mobile app, which enables users to scan the barcode of an alcoholic beverage and receive feedback on its labelled alcohol content and estimated energy value. At each search, eleven different health messages/warnings about the risks and harms of alcohol are also displayed randomly, rotating on the screen. A survey was conducted before and after the intervention, to assess the knowledge and awareness of the risks and harms associated with drinking alcohol. Results: Significant differences were found for eight of the twelve tested statements. The improvement was seen to a greater extent in the group of high-risk drinkers. The results also showed that the vast majority of participants (78%) who were exposed to the health messages supported mandatory labelling of alcoholic beverages with information on ingredient listing and energy value, and 72% would like to have health warnings on alcohol products. Conclusions: The use of a mobile app can be an option to improve knowledge and raise awareness of the risks and harms related to alcohol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To test whether showing spectators counter‐advertisements exposing alcohol harms alone, or exposing alcohol harms and alcohol sponsorship, before watching an alcohol‐sponsored sporting event promotes less favourable post‐event attitudes and intentions towards alcohol sponsor brands and alcohol in general. Design: On‐line between‐subjects experiment. Setting: Australia. Participants: A sample of Australian adults aged 18–49 years who planned to watch an alcohol‐sponsored National Rugby League (NRL) State of Origin series game was recruited through an online panel. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three counter‐advertising conditions: control (neutral advertisement); counter‐advertisement exposing alcohol harms; and counter‐advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms, to view at least four times during the week before watching the alcohol‐sponsored sporting event. Measurements Participants (n = 1932) completed a pre‐test questionnaire a week before the sporting event. Within 4 days of watching the sporting event, participants completed post‐test measures assessing sponsor brand awareness, attitudes and preferences towards the brand, as well as knowledge, attitudes and intentions for alcohol in general (n = 1075). Findings Compared with the control advertisement, the counter‐advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms promoted higher (6–13%) awareness of sponsor brands, less favourable attitudes towards sponsor brands and drinking beer, lower purchase intentions for sponsor brands (Cohen's d = 0.15, 0.31, 0.27, respectively) and perceived less image‐based similarity and fit between the sporting event and sponsor brands (Cohen's d = 0.20 and 0.56). Both counter‐advertisements promoted lower perceptions of the appropriateness of consuming alcohol while watching sport (Cohen's d = 0.22 and 0.34), higher awareness of alcohol harms (6–34%) and higher intentions (8–13%) to reduce alcohol consumption than the control advertisement. Conclusions: At alcohol‐sponsored sporting events, counter‐advertisements addressing alcohol harms may promote knowledge of harms and intentions to drink less. Counter‐advertisements that additionally expose and critique alcohol sponsorship may detract from perceptions of sponsor brand image and intentions to purchase the sponsor's products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To estimate the impact on selection and actual purchasing of (a) health warning labels (text‐only and image‐and‐text) on alcoholic drinks and (b) calorie labels on alcoholic and non‐alcoholic drinks. Design: Parallel‐groups randomised controlled trial. Setting: Drinks were selected in a simulated online supermarket, before being purchased in an actual online supermarket. Participants: Adults in England and Wales who regularly consumed and purchased beer or wine online (n = 651). Six hundred and eight participants completed the study and were included in the primary analysis. Interventions: Participants were randomized to one of six groups in a between‐subjects three [health warning labels (HWLs) (i): image‐and‐text HWL; (ii) text‐only HWL; (iii) no HWL] × 2 (calorie labels: present versus absent) factorial design (n per group 103–113). Measurements: The primary outcome measure was the number of alcohol units selected (with intention to purchase); secondary outcomes included alcohol units purchased and calories selected and purchased. There was no time limit for selection. For purchasing, participants were directed to purchase their drinks immediately (although they were allowed up to 2 weeks to do so). Findings There was no evidence of main effects for either (a) HWLs or (b) calorie labels on the number of alcohol units selected (HWLs: F(2,599) = 0.406, P = 0.666; calorie labels: F(1,599) = 0.002, P = 0.961). There was also no evidence of an interaction between HWLs and calorie labels, and no evidence of an overall difference on any secondary outcomes. In pre‐specified subgroup analyses comparing the 'calorie label only' group (n = 101) with the 'no label' group (n = 104) there was no evidence that calorie labels reduced the number of calories selected (unadjusted means: 1913 calories versus 2203, P = 0.643). Among the 75% of participants who went on to purchase drinks, those in the 'calorie label only' group (n = 74) purchased fewer calories than those in the 'no label' group (n = 79) (unadjusted means: 1532 versus 2090, P = 0.028). Conclusions: There was no evidence that health warning labels reduced the number of alcohol units selected or purchased in an online retail context. There was some evidence suggesting that calorie labels on alcoholic and non‐alcoholic drinks may reduce calories purchased from both types of drinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The alcohol industry in Nigeria uses sophisticated marketing strategies to influence drinking, and alcohol marketing regulations do not exist. This study examined the alcohol industry's strategy of using young women to promote beer in Benin City, Nigeria, and how sexualized beer marketing, as precarious employment, creates a context of risk for sexual exploitation. We conducted interviews and focus groups with beer promoters and their patrons and analysed data thematically. Some of the criteria for recruiting beer promoters include confidence, physical beauty, intelligence, and outspokenness. Beer promoters narrated that young women are mainly employed to promote beer as a strategy to convince men to buy more alcohol. Beer promoters cited the relatively high salary as their motivation for accepting to promote beer but highlighted multiple risks associated with this precarious work. First, promoters close late at night, and no provisions are made for their transport to their homes. Second, most male customers perceive beer promoters as sex workers and thus, attempt to persuade them to spend the night with them. Third, promoters also face physical and sexual harassment through unwanted contact and advances and are instructed to condone such behaviours during training. This strategy 'sexualizes' beer marketing and exposes beer promoters to health and social risks because they may be coerced into unwanted relationships as a condition for some men to purchase their brands (or sell more and meet their targets). There is a need to implement alcohol policies in Nigeria and tailor responses to beer promoters' unique risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Alcohol consumption is linked to decreased platelet function. Whether this link is dependent on sex or type of beverage remains unclear. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained from the Framingham Heart Study (N  = 3427). Alcohol consumption was assessed by using standardized medical history and Harvard semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Five bioassays measured 120 platelet reactivity traits across agonists in whole-blood and platelet-rich plasma samples. Linear mixed-effects models adjusted for age, sex and aspirin use, hypertension, body mass index, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, smoking and diabetes evaluated associations between platelet reactivity and alcohol consumption. Beta effects, the regression coefficients that estimate the amount of change in each unit of the predictor variable whereas all other predictor variables remain fixed, for heavy alcohol consumption were compared with effects of aspirin use. Results Alcohol consumption was associated with decreased platelet reactivity, with more associations among wine and liquor compared with beer. Many platelet–alcohol associations in the full sample (86%, P  <   0.01) had larger effect sizes in females. Lower light transmission aggregometry adenosine diphosphate (1.82 µM) maximum aggregation (P  =   2.6E-3, 95% CI   =   –0.07, –0.02, β = –0.042) and area under the curve (P  =   7.7E-3, 95% CI = –0.07, –0.01, β   =   –0.039) were associated with white wine consumption; however, red wine had no associations with platelet reactivity. The effect of aspirin use was on average 11.3 (±4.0) times greater than that of heavy drinking in our full sample. Conclusions We confirm associations between alcohol consumption and decreased platelet reactivity. Effects appeared larger for liquor and wine intake and in our female cohort. Red wine consumption is not associated with lower platelet function, contrasting with prior population studies. Although we report an inhibitory relationship between alcohol intake and platelet function, these effects appear much smaller than that of aspirin use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to reveal the rule of foods containing ethyl alcohol. For this, first of all, the fiqh rule of ethyl alcohol has been determined. It is a new issue to obtain ethyl alcohol through some chemical processes and to use it by participating from outside in food production. Therefore, the religious rules of both ethyl alcohol and the foods in which it is included for different purposes are not directly included in the classical fiqh sources. The study discusses ethyl alcohol and the ways it is included in foods after giving information about the alcohols commonly included in foods. In order to determine the religious rule of foods containing ethyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol was examined in comparison with the drinks forbidden by Islam and the subject was built on this basis. Alcohol is the common name for chemical compounds with similar properties in the field of organic chemistry. However, the only intoxicating type of alcohol among alcohol derivatives is ethyl alcohol. Types of alcohol other than ethyl alcohol are additives that do not have an intoxicating effect but are chemically named alcohol. For this reason, when alcohol is mentioned in Islamic fiqh, it is ethyl alcohol whose religious rule is controversial. Ethyl alcohol is also used as a solvent and preservative in the production of foodstuffs, as it is a good solvent, accelerates fluidity and has protective properties. The fiqh rule of foods containing ethyl alcohol constitutes one of the main issues in the field of halal food. Two key elements play a decisive role in relation to the subject. These are whether the ethyl alcohol that is added to the products from the outside is impure and whether the product that emerges in the final stage is intoxicating. Some scholars have accepted that ethyl alcohol is neciss and that it will make the substances in which it is impure. However, according to the opinion that constitutes the majority, ethyl alcohol was considered clean because it was both spiritually impure and hamr and ethyl alcohol were different from each other. As a result of the researches, two different approaches were determined regarding the provision of ethyl alcohol, where the opinions about the drinks in the classical fiqh shed light, and these approaches were examined together with their evidence. At the end of the study, it was concluded that ethyl alcohol is not exactly the same as the hamr (wine), which is strictly forbidden in Islam. It was evaluated by taking into account parameters such as the halal status of foods containing ethyl alcohol, the amount of ethyl alcohol it contains, the mode of its presence, the purpose of participation if it is participating from the outside, and its function in the food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol has been linked to both positive (e.g., sociability) and negative (e.g., aggression) social outcomes, and researchers have proposed that alcohol‐induced changes in emotion recognition may partially explain these effects. Here, we systematically review alcohol administration studies to clarify the acute effects of alcohol on emotion recognition. We also investigate various moderator variables (i.e., sex, study quality, study design, alcohol dosage, emotion recognition task and outcome measure). PsycINFO, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched following a pre‐registered PROSPERO protocol (CRD42021225392) and PRISMA methodology. Analyses focused on differences in emotion recognition between participants consuming alcoholic and/or non‐alcoholic (i.e., placebo or no‐alcohol control) beverages. Nineteen unique samples (N = 1271 participants) were derived from 17 articles (two articles included two studies, each conducted on a unique sample). Data were extracted for sample characteristics, alcohol administration methods and emotion recognition tasks and outcomes. All studies compared an alcoholic beverage to a placebo beverage and used tasks that asked participants to identify emotions from images or videos of facial expressions. Otherwise, methodologies varied substantially across studies, including the alcohol dosage(s) tested, the specific emotion recognition task(s) used and the outcome variable(s) assessed. No consistent effects of alcohol on emotion recognition emerged for any emotion. None of the moderator variables affected the findings, except for some indication that alcohol may affect males' emotion recognition abilities more so than females. Alcohol does not appear to consistently affect positive or negative emotion recognition of facial expressions, at least with the tasks currently used in the field. This study systematically reviewed alcohol administration studies to clarify the acute effects of alcohol on emotion recognition of facial expressions. We also investigated several possible moderator variables, including sex, study quality, study design, alcohol dosage, emotion recognition task, and outcome measure. No consistent effects of alcohol on emotion recognition emerged for any emotion, and none of the moderator variables substantially affected the findings. Guidance for future research is offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on three types of domestic alcohol practices: drinking at home, accommodating alcohol products, and crafting alcohol drinks. It explores how Chinese young people associate their emotional, creative, and embodied experiences with domestic alcohol consumption and how the social and material space of home shapes their alcohol-related practices, drawing on a qualitative analysis. We argue that domestic alcohol practices shaped by diverse dwelling patterns can (re)produce the socio-cultural structures and multiplex spatiotemporalities of home. This article can contribute to geographies of alcohol in the domestic sphere by a deep investigation of the relationship between people, the socio-material space of home, alcohol-related practices, and the plural meanings of domestic lives from a non-Western perspective. It can also develop the relational geographies of domestic lives through a nuanced understanding of Chinese young people's relational knowledge, imaginaries and practices that constitute the interplay between alcohol practices and the social, material and atmospheric aspects of home-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is now an established body of evidence that the alcohol industry seeks to obstruct public health policies that could affect the availability, affordability or marketing of alcohol. In parallel, the alcohol industry is active in funding corporate social responsibility initiatives, with a particular focus on 'responsible drinking' campaigns, often facilitated by national-level charities established and/or funded by the alcohol industry and associated organizations. While evidence continues to grow regarding biases in the content produced by such health information organizations, they remain active in partnerships with government health departments on national health promotion campaigns and provide a range of health-related information to the public, community organizations and schools. To understand the implications of such access for policymakers, researchers and the public, there is a need to consider the wider, system-level influences of such organizations and their place in wider alcohol industry strategies. In this article, we describe evolving evidence of the direct and indirect strategic effects of such organizations and demonstrate how they serve key roles in the alcohol industry through their existence, content, partnerships and public profiles. We end by considering the implications for how we conceptualize charities established or funded (entirely or partly) by harmful commodity industries, and to what extent current conflicts of interest guidelines are sufficiently effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]