Policy and Advocacy: Alcohol

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Is drinking in moderation good for my heart?

We all know prolonged heavy drinking and regular bouts of binge drinking are bad for our health. But what about light or moderate drinking? Is a small amount of alcohol actually good for the heart? Mythbusters investigates…

Drinking like the French

"France is often depicted as ‘a country where the natives drink, sing and dance till the wee small hours of the morning without experiencing any problem’." [1] "One does not see binge drinking in countries like France… where children and young people have grown up with a responsible attitude towards alcohol." [2]

Getting rat-faced

"Glass of wine aids memory" Auckland University Press release, 26 September 2007

"Don't forget: Drink a beer - or two - daily" Scientific American, 26 September 2007...

Drinking during hard times: Wheres the proof?

"People are drinking more, because people tend to drink more during tough times." A US Beverage analyst, 2008

"It is an article of folk wisdom that heavy drinking increases during economic downturns: when people lose their jobs, they turn to alcohol." Business Week, 2007 

Blown away: defeating the breathlyser

Mythbusters have some bad news for drivers keeping breath mints in their glove box for that special occasion when they’re invited to speak into the machine. Drinking and driving is bad enough, but if you think you can beat a breath test, you’re even more of a bloody idiot.

Busting alcohol policy myths

This year is a particularly significant one for alcohol policy in New Zealand. Amendments to the 20-year-old Sale of Liquor Act are currently at select committee stage, and the Law Commission is conducting its comprehensive alcohol law review. Acceptance is high that alcohol-related harms are significant, and there’s a high level of media interest in proposals to mitigate those harms.

New chief on the block

Early in 2007 ALAC Chief Executive Officer Mike MacAvoy stepped down after 12 years. Incoming CEO, Gerard Vaughan has extensive knowledge and experience within the health sector and is looking forward to applying his skills in the alcohol-related arena. In our Guest Editorial Gerard shares his first impressions of the new role.

Alcohol, poverty and development

The use of alcohol presents a dual challenge in developing societies. Alcohol related problems, including addiction, family violence and so on, become an additional burden on families and communities already struggling with poverty. Perversely, experience shows that, once developing societies have begun to reduce poverty problems and create economic growth, alcohol consumption tends to rise, with a corresponding rise in related harm. In this guest editorial, Øystein Bakke introduces us to these issues.

Alcohol is a drug too

The misuse of alcohol is one of the most significant public health issues facing Australia. At $A15.3 billion per annum, the financial toll on the community is certainly high, but so are the social costs. An increasing number of deaths, mental health issues and diseases are being linked to alcohol. Most frightening of all, says David Templeman, is the blasé attitude people have towards excessive drinking.

Good for the goose - time to revoke liquor law exemptions

The Law Commission is currently considering public submissions on the reform of our liquor laws. Legislation regulating sale and supply is at the core of review’s efforts to reduce the harms of alcohol abuse, which are potentially present wherever alcohol is sold or supplied. The Drug Foundation asks why, then, does the Act allow for so many exemptions?