Binge drinking can start harming your immune system within hours, according to new research. (This article was written by Tanya Farber for and published by The Times – 23 January 2015) Click here to read more on www.timeslive.co.za

Alcohol plays a role in numerous stages of HIV disease from disease acquisition to health seeking behaviours to ART adherence to disease outcomes. Alcohol policy can impact on the HIV epidemic, said Dr. Neo K. Morojele at NGO forum in Botswana. Morejele was speaking at the annual SAAPA Forum held in Gaborone, Botswana in December. …

At a function in downtown Gaborone, Botswana a new policy alliance and an NGO manual on alcohol advertising was launched in the presence of the Ministry of Health. (This article was written by Dag Endal for FORUT and published on www.add-resources.org) Read more on www.add-resources.org

A manual for alcohol advocacy was launched by the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance at their annual forum in Botswana recently. The manual is aimed at activists who work to towards the banning of alcohol advertising and restriction of alcohol marketing. Titled, Getting alcohol laws changed the manual can be used in any country or …

As the festive season approaches, some South Africans are likely to be spending year-end bonuses on booze in what the World Health Organisation (WHO) has dubbed one of Africa’s hardest-drinking nations. “It is the festive season, and with a large number of Christmas parties and the availability of bonuses, people will consume more alcohol,” says …

The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) will today kick off its annual regional forum in Gaborone, Botswana. The forum will be a three-day event taking place from 1 to 3 December 2014. The theme of the conference is Celebrate, understand, review and build. Botswana has made great strides in advocating for improved alcohol policy …

An interview with Zambian Networks Jonas Ngulube. Ngulube is Coordinator and Spokesperson of the Zambian Network an issues and policy organisation. He tells us how young people and women are the most affected by alcohol related issues. Mr Jonas Ngulube What does your job entail on a daily basis? My job involves providing Technical Advice- on …

YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) (FIKRIZAMA), who were trained by Blue Cross Madagascar in September have already been mobilising their communities in the regional effort to reduce levels of smoking, alcohol and drug training. Madagscar campaigns usually tackle all three of the societal ills. The YWCA ambassadors have begun engagement with communities and handed out …

DIAGEO is relying on spirits such as Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka to drive expansion in Africa as economic growth boosts incomes and demand climbs for premium drinks. (Article written by Moses Mozart Dzawu and originally published by Business Report) Read more on www.iol.co.za

The key publication to evidence-based alcohol policy interventions, Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity, is now available also in Mandarin Chinese language. This is an important move towards spreading this knowledge base to much larger target groups. The book is now published in English, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish and Thai. (This article was written by Dag Endal for …