An archive of recent news articles on the topic of alcohol and drugs.
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Plain packaging for cigarettes a legal minefield
19th February 2013
Lawsuits are seen as the inevitable next step if plain packaging of cigarettes is brought in. The government will announce a decision on the matter in the next few days. University of Auckland professor of law, Jane Kelsey, said if plain packaging was introduced, the Government would ignite a fight with large international companies with plenty of money. "British American Tobacco has made it clear that they will sue the government under existing bilateral investment treaties, for significant damages."
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Is faux beer for kids okay?
19th February 2013
I was innocently enjoying a crab claw and spring-roll at the Sushi Factory on Auckland Anniversary Day when my eye was caught by a cheerful advertisement on the table. It read: "KID'S BEER!! 0% ALCOHOL!! - LOOKS LIKE A REAL BEER!! It's beery beery yummy!! $4.90". Needless to say I was so flabbergasted I nearly spat out my green tea. I'd never seen or heard of such a thing before - and I've witnessed bizarre imagery of children smoking. Yet it seems that I need to get out more because faux beer for children has been around for a number of years.
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Students' drunk roof plunge a warning to others
14th February 2013
An incident in which two students fell off the roof of the same Dunedin flat within minutes of each other on Monday night should serve as a reminder for students to think before they act during University of Otago O-Week. The 19-year-old males, who have the same first name, both broke a hand, one the left, the other the right. One also broke two bones in his left forearm and was knocked unconscious. The students, who declined to be named, both said the incident should serve as a reminder for students to think before they acted. The embarrassed pair said they could have received much more serious injuries.
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Options under alcohol law
14th February 2013
Changes to legislation governing the sale of alcohol will give the Marlborough community more say on how alcohol is managed, says Marlborough District Council licensing inspector Karen Winter. Mrs Winter told the council's environment committee that the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 gave statutory recognition to alcohol policy set in the district, which was not the case with legislation it replaced. This change would make it easier to enforce compliance.
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Smokers' new legal spat
13th February 2013
The Government is being sued for allowing gamblers to smoke at SkyCity casino in a landmark case which could see the end of smoker-friendly areas at bars and restaurants. The Cancer Society case takes aim at Ministry of Health rules which have spawned a slew of "open air" smoking areas enclosed by a roof and walls. Papers filed with the Auckland High Court accuse the Ministry of Health of getting the law wrong in allowing SkyCity's smoker-friendly Diamond Lounge, where gamblers can play pokies in a roofed area ventilated by louvre windows.
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Alcohol + diet mixer = more drunk, faster
13th February 2013
Adding a diet mixer to your alcohol could be getting you drunker, faster, researchers say. In a soon-to-be-published study, researchers mixed vodka with a lemon/lime soda. Some mixers were standard, sugar-packed varieties, others were a diet variety. They found blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 18 per cent higher in those who consumed the diet drink compared to those who guzzled the sugar-filled beverage.
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Liquor firms' input spurned
12th February 2013
Public health specialists say alcohol industry has no place in making policy and should stop. The liquor industry must be shut out of alcohol policy-making and implementation, to prevent manufacturers from undermining efforts to reduce the harms of alcohol, says an international grouping of public health specialists. The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance will today issue a "statement of concern" on the role of the industry and its attempts to implement the World Health Organisation's global strategy on alcohol.
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P trade impervious to crackdown, say police
12th February 2013
Intelligence report warns hard line hasn't made a dent in local P market. Increased efforts by the Government and law enforcement to tackle the country's methamphetamine problem have failed to dent the drug trade, according to a classified police report. The price, purity and availability of the Class A drug have remained relatively stable since new legislation was announced in 2009 - including a ban on medicines containing pseudoephedrine - following a Herald series called the War on P. A police intelligence document obtained by the Weekend Herald says the "entrenched" methamphetamine market appears to have stabilised but at a high level.
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Cannabis use linked to stroke risk
7th February 2013
Cannabis use may double the stroke risk in young adults, according to a recent study. The study by Auckland University's Centre for Brain Research found stroke patients were 2.3 times more likely to have cannabis detected in urine tests compared with patients of the same age and sex. "This is the first case-controlled study to show a possible link to the increased risk of stroke from cannabis,'' Professor Alan Barber said. "Cannabis has been thought by the public to be a relatively safe, although illegal substance. This study shows this might not be the case - it may lead to stroke.''
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NRL clubs may face ASADA drugs probe
7th February 2013
An investigation into the use of supplements by Essendon players is set to be expanded beyond AFL, with Fairfax Media told NRL clubs are also likely to face scrutiny. The Bombers called in the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to look into supplements given to their players but it is understood the investigation will be broadened beyond the AFL club in coming days. It is understood up to 18 Essendon players are under scrutiny but they may be the tip of the iceberg as some officials believe the use of the supplement is widespread in the AFL and NRL.
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