'Scientists find gene that can predict alcoholism'

Alcoholics could be identified before they develop a physical or psychological dependence on drink, after scientists identified a genetic basis for alcoholism. A study has found a simple genetic difference between people that marks their susceptibility to alcohol. The findings may also help scientists to develop new generations of drugs that could be deployed to fight addiction by attacking the genetic "fault" that raises the risk of becoming alcoholic - The Independent​

Cigarettes are to be banned from open display in shops and supermarkets in a fresh attempt to cut the number of smokers, the government will announce today. The Health Secretary will also announce, however, that a move to ban cigarette vending machines in pubs has been dropped in favour of a plan for the machines to operate only by the use of tokens. People would have to show they are 18 in order to be given the tokens. The machines will also have stronger warnings on them telling young people of the dangers of smoking - The Times ​

Kids are snubbing school dinners by popping to their local pub for lunch. Pupils in uniform are a common sight in the bar at the Ferry Inn in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, as they tuck into their grub. The pub is also selling takeaway food to younger children from a side entrance. But the move has sparked concerns from councillors and education chiefs - The Sun​

A teenage vandal was forced to hand himself in to police after pictures of him trashing a pub were posted on Facebook by the landlord. The youth phoned landlord Paul Neades three hours after he posted his CCTV mug shot on the social networking site. Mr Neades told the youth to hand himself in to police who issued the vandal with an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice. Paul, 37, landlord of The Litten Tree, in Hereford, is thought to be the first person in the country to successfully catch a criminal using the site - The Daily Telegraph​

Diageo Plc, the world's biggest alcoholic drinks group, said on Monday it was seeing strong growth in British retail sales in the run up to Christmas as price-cutting promotions start earlier than usual. Driving growth, especially of wines and spirits, is the so-called off-trade to British supermarkets and wine shops, said the British maker of Smirnoff vodka, Baileys liqueur and Guinness beer, which is targeting higher annual sales growth this year despite the economic downturn - Reuters​

A man who until recently was Britain's oldest worker has died at the age of 105. Gardener Jim Webber, from Stoke Abbot, Dorset, worked the land in Dorset for 93 years without any holidays. He used to charge £2 an hour but was forced to put his prices up to £3 for his work at a local pub because of the rising cost of petrol for his lawnmower - Press Association​

Inveralmond, which brews Ossian and Lia Fail beer, is investing £650,000 in new premises to meet growing demand in overseas markets. The Perth-based brewer is to triple its production at the new brewery and create a new visitor centre on the site. Inveralmond's expansion comes as the firm's products are to be made available in Norway for the first time. The firm's Lia Fail and Ossian brands are now on sales at the northern city of Tromsø - The Scotsman​