Drinking one bottle of wine a week increases the risk of developing cancer over a lifetime by the equivalent of 10 cigarettes a week for women and five for men, according to a new study as reported by the BBC and others. The researchers say if 1,000 non-smoking men and 1,000 non-smoking women each drank one bottle of wine a week, around 10 extra men and 14 extra women could develop cancer during their lives. However, whilst providing some insight, Dr Minouk Schoemaker, a scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research, said it was still "difficult to disentangle the effects of alcohol and cigarette smoking entirely, and the study did not take into account the duration of smoking or time since stopping."
Teenagers with higher awareness of alcohol marketing are more likely to consume more and be higher-risk drinkers, according to research reported by ITV news. It also found almost one in five (17%) of young people aged 11 to 19 own branded alcohol merchandise, which is also linked with increased and more unhealthy drinking habits. The researchers said the findings, published in the journal BMJ Open, support measures to reduce young people’s exposure to the marketing of alcohol products on TV, social media and through sponsorship.
A dubious article appeared in the Birmingham Post citing 'Birmingham's booze shame' in response to figures suggesting girls were twice as likely as boys to end up in hospital as a result of alcohol. However, numbers had dropped significantly to 15 in every 100,000 children admitted between 2015/16 and 2017/18.
Another questionably headlined piece reported 'addicts waiting for longer' to access drug and alcohol treatment in Scotland, with 364 patients waiting for more than six weeks, around 14 per cent of all those seeking support - The Scotsman. The figures also show 10,550 people began treatment between October and December last year, with 93.9% seen in three weeks or under - meeting the Scottish Government's 90% target.
Pub chain giant JD Wetherspoon saw profits fall 19% in the six months to the end of January, blaming rises in labour costs and other business costs, report the BBC. Its chairman is outspoken Brexit supporter Tim Martin, who has overseen pro-Brexit materials in the pubs. However while profits fell sharply, sales are continuing to rise as revenues rose by 7%, and like-for-like sales by more than 6%.
Beer brand Peroni is 'launching a new slimline version aimed at young people on the go', according to the Telegraph. The new cans would appeal to ready-to-drink consumers and cider drinkers, said a brand marketing director, as well as "a younger cohort of beer drinkers looking for a convenient on-the-go option".
Dating apps and digital entertainment are partly responsible for a significant decrease in 24-hour alcohol licences, according to research reported in the Telegraph. The data was reported by law firm EMW, who state the number of pubs, bars and nightclubs with 24-hour alcohol licenses has fallen by 19% over the last five years to 742 in 2018, though this is at odds with the latest Home Office figures showing a rise and including the largest sector of 24 hour licenses for hotels. Marco Mauro, Legal Director at EMW said: “ Continued cultural changes in the way people interact and socialise, such as through dating apps, and the rise of Netflix, has created less demand for pubs, bars and nightclubs."
The booze cruise is 'back in fashion as shoppers stock up on cheap wine from across the Channel before Brexit, reported the Guardian. Sales at Majestic Wine’s Calais stores soared 49% last month and pre-orders were up 78% in March as shoppers take advantage of France’s low alcohol taxes before the planned Brexit date.
Many consumers unaware the craft beers they are buying are owned by global firms instead of small brewers, reports the Guardian. The British craft beer report, released by the Society of Independent Brewers (Siba), will say that 98% of drinkers do not believe a global firm such as Budweiser owner Anheuser-Busch InBev or Molson Coors can make craft beer.