scholarly journals Reflections on Italy's Decreasing Alcohol Consumption

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 245-250
Author(s):  
Amedeo Cottino ◽  
Elisabetta Forni
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Essential Component ◽  
The Past ◽  
Main Meals ◽  
People Today ◽  
At Home

Although Italy still lacks an alcohol policy, consumption of alcoholic beverages, and in particular wine, has been decreasing steadily for several decades. Why? The authors argue that, even if most Italians maintain the habit of eating their main meals at home, wine is losing its role as an essential component of the menu. People today drink smaller amounts and less often than in the past particularly because wine is no longer “eaten” as before. In addition, two other factors may have contributed to the decline in consumption: the loss of confidence in producers and wholesalers following the toxic wine scandals and the increasing preoccupation with healthy lifestyles.

scholarly journals Estonia: Problems created by border-trade for applying high-tax alcohol policy

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Täht ◽  
H Laarmann
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Excise Tax ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Border Trade ◽  
The Government ◽  
Over Exploitation

Abstract In early 2000s, Estonia had one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption globally. In 2008, the average salary could buy 62 litres of strong spirits, compared with 28 litres in 2000; the increase of affordability was one of the highest in the EU. Since then, alcohol consumption per capita has been reduced by a third, which has also led to a reduction in related problems: mortality from alcohol-related illnesses has fallen by 40%. This was achieved with the progressive adoption of measures that rely heavily, but not exclusively, on increasing excise taxes. In 2014 a comprehensive alcohol policy document was adopted, paving the way to the measures in all 10 areas of WHO global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol. Since then Estonia has launched treatment programme and awareness campaigns, restricted advertising and the exposure of alcohol in the public sphere. By 2017, the over-exploitation of the tax-based measures backfired. The twofold alcohol price difference between Estonia and Latvia, resulting from doubling the excise tax for beer and raising significantly those for other alcoholic beverages, caused an unintended increase in cross-border trade between the two countries. This, in turn, caused a new wave of public discussion around pricing policies, and a loss of popular support for tax increases. As a first step to address the problem, the government halved the tax increase planned for February 2018, thus increasing beer tax by 9% and spirits tax by 5%. Tax increases scheduled for 2019 and 2020 were cancelled, and taxes on spirits, beer and cider were cut by 25% instead. This resulted in Latvia decreasing their spirits taxes by 15% in turn. This development forces health promoters to seek new ways to reduce harm to public health and win back support to healthy policy choices.

scholarly journals Reducing the standard serving size of alcoholic beverages prompts reductions in alcohol consumption

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Kersbergen ◽  
melissa oldham ◽  
Andrew Jones ◽  
Matt Field ◽  
Colin Angus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Laboratory Study ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Serving Sizes ◽  
Serving Size

Aims: We tested whether reducing the standard serving size of alcoholic beverages would reduce voluntary alcohol consumption in a laboratory (study 1) and a real-world drinking environment (study 2). Additionally, we modelled the potential public health benefit of reducing the standard serving size of on-trade alcoholic beverages in the UK.Design: Studies 1 and 2 were cluster-randomised experiments. In study 1, participants were randomly assigned to receive standard or reduced serving sizes (by 25%) of alcohol during a laboratory drinking session. In study 2, customers at a bar were served alcohol in either standard or reduced serving sizes (by 28.6% – 33.3%). Finally, we used the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model to estimate the number of deaths and hospital admissions that would be averted per year in the UK if a policy that reduces alcohol serving sizes in the on-trade was introduced.Setting: A semi-naturalistic laboratory (study 1), a bar in Liverpool, UK (study 2).Participants: Students and university staff members (study 1: N = 114, mean age 24.8 years, 74.6% female), residents from local community (study 2: N = 164, mean age 34.9 years, 57.3% female).Measurements: Outcome measures were units of alcohol consumed within one hour (study 1) and up to three hours (study 2). Serving size condition was the primary predictor. Findings: In study 1, a 25% reduction in alcohol serving size led to a 20.7% - 22.3% reduction in alcohol consumption. In study 2, a 28.6% - 33.3% reduction in alcohol serving size led to a 32.4% - 39.6% reduction in alcohol consumption. Modelling results indicated that decreasing the serving size of on-trade alcoholic beverages by 25% could reduce the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths per year in the UK by 4.4% - 10.5% and 5.6% - 13.2%, respectively. Conclusions: Reducing the serving size of alcoholic beverages leads to a reduction in alcohol consumption within a single drinking occasion. Reducing the standard serving sizes of alcoholic beverages may reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm at the population level.

PRICE OF ALCOHOL IN EU MEMBER STATES – AFFORDABILITY OF ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS AND ROLE OF EXCISE DUTIES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Fanta ◽  
◽  
Radek Soběhart ◽  
Aleš Rod ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
The Past ◽  
Excise Duties

This research paper focuses on alcoholic beverages and their price affordability between 2000-2016 in the member states of the European Union. Based on the data from OECD, WHO, Eurostat, and the European Commission, the paper primarily discusses development of prices and consumption of alcoholic products, level of excise duties, and the development of average wages. Overall alcohol consumption has decreased in most EU member states over the past two decades, even though price affordability has increased due to relatively dynamic development of average wages. As consumption of alcohol products is decreasing, producers of alcoholic beverages are now pushed to increase the prices of alcoholic products to keep their level of revenues, which means that the price of alcohol is growing naturally. Those facts raise a question about the role of excise duties on alcohol, whether it is an effective tool for reducing alcohol consumption or just a fiscal tool, whose further increases might lead to market distortions.

Investigating the volume and structure of alcohol consumption in Russian regions

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Kossova ◽  
Elena Kossova ◽  
Maria Sheluntcova
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Russian Regions ◽  
Absolute Alcohol ◽  
Macroeconomic Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine macroeconomic factors that are significantly related to consumption of various alcoholic beverages in Russia. Design/methodology/approach The authors consider 78 Russian regions for the period from 2008 to 2012. Data were collected from the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia. The authors investigate differences in the volume and structure of consuming absolute alcohol in aggregate, vodka, beer, and wine. Estimating fixed effect panel models enables us to reveal the relationship between alcohol consumption and the set of macroeconomic factors that include economic development of regions and living standards, the effect of unemployment, and the degree of urbanization. Findings Alcohol consumption is procyclical in Russia. Two main alcoholic beverages in Russia are vodka and beer. Economic development and urbanization of regions are positively related to consuming alcohol. Unemployment rate affects consumption of different types of alcoholic drinks in a different way. For absolute alcohol, vodka and beer, this relationship is negative. However, it is positive for wine. The effect of unemployment on absolute alcohol and vodka increases over time. For beer, it is remained unchanged. For wine, this effect weakens over time. Originality/value To the authors knowledge, the paper is the first one to analyze macro-level factors of consumption of different alcoholic beverages in Russia. Conclusions made on aggregate macroeconomic data add to understanding of drinking patterns in Russia as a country with the large territory and great regional variations. Findings can be used for correcting the alcohol policy at the national and regional level.

The relationship between perceived parental leniency, access to alcohol at home, and alcohol consumption and consequences among rural adolescents.

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-38
Author(s):  
Carolyn Lauckner ◽  
Charles A. Warnock ◽  
Anne Marie Schipani-McLaughlin ◽  
Danielle N. Lambert ◽  
Jessica L. Muilenburg
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Rural Adolescents ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
At Home

Effects of thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption on cognition and affect about death

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Young-Sil Kwon ◽  
Seung-Cheol Kim ◽  
Yu-Ra Lee ◽  
Myoung-Ho Hyun
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Affective Responses ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Cognitive Priming ◽  
Interpersonal Needs

We investigated the effects of thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption on cognitive and affective responses regarding death, with data from 67 students who were drinkers of alcoholic beverages. Each student was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups distinguished by the presence or absence of both thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption. Cognitive priming bias about death-related risk and fearlessness about death were assessed. Results show significant interaction effects between thwarted interpersonal needs and acute alcohol consumption on cognitive priming bias about death-related risk and fearlessness about death. The findings contribute to explaining how acute alcohol consumption can transform individuals' self-aggressive desire into behavior. Therefore, careful clinical assessment of individuals' frustration in interpersonal relationships and their alcohol consumption is required to prevent risks associated with self-aggressive behavior.

scholarly journals Relationship of attitudes toward uncertainty and preventive health behaviors with breast cancer screening participation

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miho Satoh ◽  
Naoko Sato
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Risk Aversion ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Breast Cancer Screening ◽  
Time Preference ◽  
The Past ◽  
Screening Participation ◽  
Cancer Screening Participation

Abstract Backgroundcxs Early detection of breast cancer is effective for prolonging survival, but the participation rate in breast cancer screening among target Japanese women remains low. This study examined the relationships between tendencies in decision-making under conditions of uncertainty, health behaviors, demographics, and breast cancer screening participation in Japanese women. Methods Secondary analysis was performed using data from the 2017 Keio Household Panel Survey (KHPS). The study population consisted of 2945 households. Data were obtained from the KHPS for women aged 40 years or older. Breast cancer screening participation in the past year, risk aversion, time preference, health behaviors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption, and medical treatment received in the past year), and demographic variables were analyzed. Results Data from 708 women were analyzed. Among the respondents, 28.8% had attended breast cancer screening in the past year. Factors found to significantly contribute to breast cancer screening participation included higher risk aversion (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–5.32; p = 0.043), medical treatment received in the past year (OR, 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06–2.30; p = 0.026), higher self-rated health (OR, 1.47; 95% CI = 1.18–1.83; p = 0.001), living above the poverty line (OR, 2.31; 95% CI = 1.13–4.72; p = 0.022), and having children (OR, 1.57; 95% CI = 1.02–2.42; p = 0.042). Factors significantly associated with non-participation in breast cancer screening were smoking (OR, 0.20; 95% CI = 0.10–0.42; p < 0.000), alcohol consumption (OR, 0.56; 95% CI = 0.37–0.86; p = 0.007), being self-employed (OR, 0.22; 95% CI = 0.10–0.46; p < 0.000), and being unemployed (OR, 0.48; 95% CI = 0.26–0.90; p = 0.022). No significant relationship was observed between time preference and screening participation. Conclusions The results indicate that women who recognize the actual risk of developing breast cancer or have high awareness of breast cancer prevention tend to participate in breast cancer screening. Barriers to screening participation are not working for an organization that encourages screening and low income.

Reward-Related Attentional Capture Moderates the Association between Fear-Driven Motives and Heavy Drinking

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Murat Yücel ◽  
Chao Suo ◽  
Mike E. Le Pelley ◽  
Jeggan Tiego ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Attentional Capture ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Drinking Motives ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Problematic Drinking ◽  
The Past ◽  
Motivational Profile

Background: To date, there has been little investigation on how motivational and cognitive mechanisms interact to influence problematic drinking behaviours. Towards this aim, the current study examined whether reward-related attentional capture is associated with reward, fear (relief), and habit drinking motives, and further, whether it interacts with these motives in relation to problematic drinking patterns. Methods: Ninety participants (mean age = 34.8 years, SD = 9.1, 54% male) who reported having consumed alcohol in the past month completed an online visual search task that measured reward-related attentional capture as well as the Habit Reward Fear Scale, a measure of drinking motives. Participants also completed measures of psychological distress, impulsivity, compulsive drinking, and consumption items of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Regression analyses examined the associations between motives for alcohol consumption and reward-related attentional capture, as well as the associations between reward-related attentional capture, motives, and their interaction, with alcohol consumption and problems. Results: Greater reward-related attentional capture was associated with greater reward motives. Further, reward-related attentional capture also interacted with fear motives in relation to alcohol consumption. Follow-up analyses showed that this interaction was driven by greater fear motives being associated with heavier drinking among those with lower reward-related attentional capture (i.e., “goal-trackers”). Conclusion: These findings have implications for understanding how cognition may interact with motives in association with problematic drinking. Specifically, the findings highlight different potential pathways to problematic drinking according to an individual’s cognitive-motivational profile and may inform tailored interventions to target profile-specific mechanisms. Finally, these findings offer support for contemporary models of addiction that view excessive goal-directed behaviour under negative affect as a critical contributor to addictive behaviours.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document