|
| |
just-drinks.com editor's weekly highlights | |
|
All new research into the global vodka markets is now available.
Two issues last week show quite clearly the pressure being exerted on our industry outside of the economic downturn. In the US, a health commissioner led the call for the introduction of heavier taxes on soft drinks which are high in sugar, as a way of combating the obesity epidemic. Taxes on CSDs in the majority of the US states are currently too low to curb consumption, said New York City health commissioner Dr Thomas Farley. The call for higher taxes is a well-worn path and one that most maintain is an ineffective approach to an issue. The hike in cigarette prices on mainland Europe in recent years is a strong example of this failed strategy. Most clearly, however, such calls from experts indicate the failure of our own industry to engage with such figures. Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, the issue of minimum pricing for alcohol as a means of curbing excessive consumption took a positive – albeit predictable – twist, when the UK's Office of Fair Trading voiced its opposition to the matter. The legalities of imposing minimum pricing have always made the introduction of such measures impractical. However, the “solution's” ability to attract headlines will keep it at the forefront of the debate on alcohol abuse as politicians and lobby groups look to maintain the pressure for calls for legislation to curb drinking. Again, it is vital that our industry continues to take a positive and proactive role in this debate and avoids being dragged into an ugly war of words. Education of consumers and legislators remains key. Elsewhere, last week, just-drinks was at Munich's Drinktec exhibition, and a jolly – yet exhausting – time was had by all. Click here and here for our take on the daddy of trade shows. And as for the opening day of the Oktoberfest? Well, photographic evidence can be found here, but let me just say that if it's not on your 'Things to do before you die' list, then it certainly should be. Until next time... Olly Wehring, Managing Editor Web: www.just-drinks.com Twitter: just_drinks
Selected research from just-drinks has a 10% discount, choose from a number of reports all containing detailed analysis and forecast data.
|
Focus - Alcohol advertising safe in Tory hands [MEM] The call last week by the British Medical Association (BMA) for an outright ban on alcohol advertising appeared to have little support in political circles or the media. Most crucially for the industry, it was rejected out of hand by the Conservative Party. With the Tories a racing certainty to take power in the next General Election, Ben Cooper casts an eye over Conservative thinking on alcohol policy.
Innovation in drinks packaging Innovation in drinks packaging is more intense today than it has been for decades, with cutting-edge innovation in intelligent materials, microchip integration and nanomaterials allowing designers to create boxes, bottles, cans and sacks that they could not dream of before. What are the latest innovations and developments? just-drinks has investigated in Europe, North America and Asia, with a special global focus on nanotechnology.
|
|
We currently deliver just-drinks newsletters to: ##EMAIL## To unsubscribe from this newsletter immediately click here. To review, amend or unsubscribe from your current newsletters click here. © just-drinks.com 2000-2009. All Rights Reserved. | |
September 21, 2009 
