FYI - EC announces strategy to help reduce alcohol-related harm
The text of the communication can be viewed at
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/documents/alcohol_com_625_en.pdf
Press release attached below
Best wishes
David McDaid
LSE Health and Social Care
On October 24 the European Commission adopted a Communication on reducing alcohol related harm in Europe. The priorities identified in the Communication are to:
- protect young people and children and the unborn child;
- reduce injuries and deaths from alcohol-related road accidents;
- prevent harm among adults and reduce the negative impact on the workplace;
- raise awareness of the impact on health of harmful alcohol consumption; and on appropriate consumption patterns
- Develop a common evidence base at EU level
The strategy identifies areas where the EU can support the actions of Member States to reduce alcohol related harm, such as financing projects through the Public Health and Research Programmes, exchanging good practice on issues such as curbing under-age drinking, exploring cooperation on information campaigns or tackling drink-driving and other Community initiatives.
The Communication also aims to promote the exchange of good practice between Member States, proposes an Alcohol and Health Forum of interested parties and sets out areas where industry can make a contribution, notably in the area of responsible advertising and marketing.
Combating harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption in Europe is a public health priority for many Member States and at EU level. Harmful alcohol consumption is estimated to cause the deaths of 195,000 people a year in the EU. It is a net cause of 7,4% of all ill-health and early death in the EU and is responsible for 1 in 4 deaths among young men aged 15-29.
|