Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Global Actions 31 August 2011


Key Recent Milestones

· In Colombia, 14 cities are participating in the PACTOS seminar in Bogotá. Global Actions is partnering with “PACTOS por la Vida,” a program of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Colombia, Fondo de Prevención Vial, and the Ministry of Social Protection, developed to promote responsible drinking and reduce drink driving. The seminar will focus on best practices in program planning and evaluation. In addition to the 6 cities originally on board (Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Ibagué, and Neiva), the cities of Villavicencio, Campoalegre, Cartagena, Hobo, Maicao, Rivera, San Andres, and Bogotá will now participate as observers

.
Global Actions in Focus: Self-Regulation in Trinidad and Tobago

On August 18-19, Global Actions and the Trinidad & Tobago Beverage Alcohol Alliance (TTBAA) hosted a two-day training session on self-regulation in Port-of-Spain. Participants included managing directors and brand marketing teams from TTBAA member companies, TTBAA staff, and local advertising agencies. Leading beer, wine, and spirits companies in Trinidad and Tobago adopted a Code of Conduct on Advertising and Marketing of Beverage Alcohol Products in November 2009.

Participants reviewed the results of a 2011 ICAP-commissioned compliance audit of the TTBAA Code. International advertising regulation expert Geoffrey Draughn described the audit as “an exercise to get people thinking and talking, to identify potential problems before they arise. In addition, said Draughn, “monitoring of advertising allows a self-regulatory organization to take action on its own initiative and play a proactive role in ensuring marketing code compliance.”

“The TTBAA membership is to be applauded for seizing the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to responsible marketing practices,” said Brett Bivans, ICAP Vice President. “Although covering a small number of marketing communications, this review highlights the progress TTBAA members have made in bringing this Code alive in a systematic way: through regular handling of complaints, review of its provisions, regular reports to its membership and stakeholders, and its commitment to this audit.”

ICAP staff also briefed members of the TTBAA Code Review Board, comprised of representatives from the Judiciary, the Ministry of Health, the Advertising Agencies Association, and the Chamber of Commerce. The workshop underscored the commitment of TTBAA and its members to further strengthen their alignment with best practices and global standards for responsible marketing while recognizing how such principles apply to the local culture, lifestyle, traditions, and national concerns of Trinidad and Tobago.


What’s Happening Next

· China: September 16-18, Drink drive training workshop for local staff in Xi’an, followed by enhanced enforcement workshop for traffic police September 21-22. Similar workshops will take place in Nanjing on September 20-22 and September 24-25.

· Nigeria: September 20-21, Capacity-building program for the Lagos-Apapa intervention.
· Mexico: September 28-29, Drink drive summit in Mexico City, co-hosted with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Security.

· Ukraine: World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) will be participating in a self-regulation conference in Kiev on September 30.