Evidence from a meta study conducted by the Institute of Health Metrics at the University of Washington comparing data from alcohol use to health risks worldwide has found that in addition to there being no health benefits to alcohol consumption, there are significant health risks and costs. The evidence was published in the British medical journal, The Lancet. 

Quotes from the study:

"Alcohol poses dire ramifications for future population health in the absence of policy action today. Our results indicate that alcohol use and its harmful effects on health could become a growing challenge as countries become more developed, and enacting or maintaining strong alcohol control policies will be vital,” said the report’s senior author, Prof Emmanuela Gakidou.

“Worldwide we need to revisit alcohol control policies and health programmes, and to consider recommendations for abstaining from alcohol. These include excise taxes on alcohol, controlling the physical availability of alcohol and the hours of sale, and controlling alcohol advertising. Any of these policy actions would contribute to reductions in population-level consumption, a vital step toward decreasing the health loss associated with alcohol use.”

Links: www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/23/no-healthy-level-of-alcohol-consumption-says-major-study

Updated: The Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara Neighborhood has two new alcohol licenses that will be coming up for debate at the next meeting of the Alcohol License Review Committee on August 15th (5:30 pm at Room 201 (City-County Building),210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. 

I have concerns about the selling of beer at a convenience store that has never had a license. I also have concerns about the Winnebago Arts Cafe selling alcohol due to its proximity to East High School and of course the large number of existing alcohol outlets in the area.

Go2Stop Inc • dba Seversin Citgo 
3401 Milwaukee St • Agent: Lakhbir Singh  
Class A Beer

Frameshift Arts Cafe LLC • dba The Winnebago Arts Cafe 
2262 Winnebago St. • Agent: John DeHaven • Estimated Capacity: 99
Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 40% alcohol, 57% food

Another location, of which I have similar concerns, is located in the Williamson-Marquette neighborhood. The ALRC will also be discussing its application for a liquor license on Wednesday.

Public Hearing - New License Musonics LLC • dba Cafe Coda 1224 Williamson St • Agent: Hanah Jon Taylor • Estimated Capacity: 99 Class B Combination Liquor & Beer • 60% alcohol, 0% food, 40% other 

To comment via email ALRC members or attend the meeting, please visit : madison.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=17482&GUID=B5239948-3159-4F6B-ADFC-83AD506B80EE