Latest legislation news and analysis articles 
How are the rules changing, and how will they affect you?
Round-Up -The ICAP Digest - May
25 May 2012
Once a month, the International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP), which covers alcohol policies worldwide, will look at what's going on in-market to promote a responsible role for alcohol in society.
UK: SWA "expects" legal challenge over minimum pricing
24 May 2012
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has told just-drinks it “expects” a legal challenge to be launched against Scotland's plans for minimum pricing, but would not be drawn on whether the trade body itself will launch action.
LIWF 2012 - BRAZIL: Wine imports face protectionist tax rises
22 May 2012
Brazil is at the centre of a growing wine trade war over Government plans to restrict imports to the country.
Comment - Obesity: No Escaping the Kitchen as Political Heat Rises
15 May 2012
Obesity. It's a big issue – and it's only going to get weightier. According to the anti-obesity campaign, Let's Move, fronted by Michelle Obama, it's predicted that 42% of Americans will be obese by 2030.
CUBA: Pernod Ricard lines up Havanista Cuban rum brand for US
14 May 2012
Pernod Ricard has moved to side-step its long-running legal row with Bacardi over the Havana Club trademark in the US, by lining up a new rum brand for the US called Havanista.
UK: Scottish government confirms plans for GBP0.50 minimum price
14 May 2012
The Scottish government has today (May 14) confirmed it intends to set a minimum alcohol price of GBP0.50 (US$0.80) per unit – GBP0.05 higher than previously proposed.
UK: Scots minimum pricing could be scrapped at later date
2 May 2012
Scottish MPs have agreed that minimum alcohol pricing could be scrapped after six years if the policy fails.
Encouraging Responsible Consumption - Part I - An Industry Engaged
30 April 2012
This month, we present a four-part management briefing into the role the alcoholic drinks industry does play, doesn't play, and ought to play in encouraging responsible consumption. In part one, Ben Cooper looks at the lie of the land today.
Encouraging Responsible Consumption - Part II - Responsible Consumption Messaging
30 April 2012
This month, we present a four-part management briefing into the role the alcoholic drinks industry does play, doesn't play, and ought to play in encouraging responsible consumption. Part two sees Ben Cooper look at, not only, getting the message across, but framing the actual message itself.
Encouraging Responsible Consumption - Part III - Non-Branded Industry Messaging, the Drinkaware Model and Social Media
30 April 2012
This month, we present a four-part management briefing into the role the alcoholic drinks industry does play, doesn't play, and ought to play in encouraging responsible consumption. In the penultimate part, Ben Cooper considers what branding the message ought to carry, and how to harness social media as part of the strategy.
Encouraging Responsible Consumption - Part IV - Greater Industry Coordination, but Debate Remains Polarised
30 April 2012
This month, we present a four-part management briefing into the role the alcoholic drinks industry does play, doesn't play, and ought to play in encouraging responsible consumption. The final part looks at the ongoing battle the industry faces with the health lobby.
Focus - Responsibility Key for Alcohol Brands in Social Marketing World
26 April 2012
As the use of social media becomes ever more prevalent, just-drinks has asked US- and UK-based social network marketing company Vitrue to look at how alcohol producers can harness the medium going forward.
UK: Drinkaware chief executive resigns
20 April 2012
The head of Drinkaware, the UK alcohol education charity, has announced his intention to stand down.
BELGIUM: Moldova secures European GI protection for wines
17 April 2012
European Union (EU) ministers have been asked to approve a geographical indication deal struck between Moldova and the EU, which will secure protection for Moldovan traditional winemakers from sales of unauthorised copies in the EU.
US/BRAZIL: Cachaca, Bourbon/Tennessee whiskies to get origin recognition
10 April 2012
The US and Brazil have lined up a reciprocal agreement recognising the terms 'Bourbon whiskey' and Tennessee whiskey' and 'cachaça' as hailing from their respective countries.
INDIA: UK Chancellor adds to calls for tax plan re-think
4 April 2012
UK Chancellor George Osborne has warned the Indian government against retrospectively taxing overseas investments, arguing it could “damage” the country's business climate.
EU: Diageo Europe chief shrugs off minimum pricing threat
3 April 2012
The head of Diageo Europe has branded UK minimum pricing a “very bad way to target the problem”, but has shrugged off the proposed law change as being a “long way off”.
UK: Trade groups raise concerns over Indian tax changes
3 April 2012
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has voiced “deep concerns” over proposed changes to Indian laws which could see UK firms – including SAB Miller - be forced to pay significant sums in backdated capital gains tax.
just-drinks.com site outage
2 April 2012
We apologise for the earlier just-drinks.com site outage today (2nd April) between 18:00 and 21:30. This was due to a catastrophic hardware failure.
UK: Coca-Cola GB silent on brands to get calorie cut
30 March 2012
Coca-Cola GB has declined to detail which brands it will cut the calories of, following its pledge to do so, as part of the UK Government's public health responsibility deal.
INDIA: Imported alcohol duty resolution still a way off
26 March 2012
The head of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) has warned that the thorny issue of imported alcohol duty is no nearer to being resolved.
Comment - UK PM's Moral Move on Pricing a Change of Heart
23 March 2012
A policy that is probably illegal, will make UK supermarkets richer and disgruntle voters. Now that’s what I call a bold move.
UK: Government plans GBP0.40 minimum price for 2014
23 March 2012
The UK government is proposing to set a minimum price of GBP0.40 (US$0.63) per unit as part of a wider strategy to tackle alcohol-related problems in the country.
UK: Drinks producers brand minimum price plans "misguided"
23 March 2012
Drinks producers have attacked the UK government’s plans to introduce a minimum price as “misguided” and “regressive”.
UK: Drinks industry bemoans UK Budget
21 March 2012
The UK drinks industry has come out in force against today's UK Budget, which sees a continuation of the alcohol duty escalator.
EU: Spirits sector warns of "simplistic" pricing controls, ad bans
20 March 2012
European spirits producers have warned that pricing controls, such as minimum pricing, are not the “silver bullet” for tackling alcohol harm and are "too simplistic".
UK/SCOTLAND: Health committee quashes dissent to back minimum pricing bill
7 March 2012
A Parliamentary committee has backed a bill to introduce a minimum price on alcoholic drinks in Scotland, despite concerns among some of its members.
UK/SCOTLAND: Parliament committee expected to back minimum alcohol price
6 March 2012
A cross-party committee in Scotland's Parliament is set to throw its weight behind plans for a minimum price on alcoholic drinks in the country.
UK: British Beer & Pub Association launches eleventh hour revolt on duty stamps
23 February 2012
The British Beer & Pub Association is lobbying hard to prevent the introduction of duty stamps on beer cans and bottles in the UK.
US/S KOREA: Whiskey distillers count down to free trade deal
22 February 2012
US whiskey producers should begin to benefit from their country's free trade agreement with South Korea within a month.
