The first EU Alcohol Strategy was adopted by the European Commission in October
2006 in response to the growing recognition of the health impact of harmful and
hazardous alcohol consumption in the EU. The Strategy was endorsed by the other
EU institutions indicating that a broad consensus has been achieved in the EU on the
approach to tackle alcohol related harm. This is the first report to review progress
against strategy implementation.
Harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption is the third largest risk factor for ill
health in the EU, responsible for 195,000 deaths each year and accounting for 12%
of male and 2% of female premature mortality. The estimated economic cost to the
EU is in the region of €125 billion. Recently published data indicates that alcohol
consumption has remained stable for most Member States between 2002 and 2006,
with a trend towards higher consumption in 8 countries.
Since the adoption of the Strategy, there has been considerable activity on the part of
the Commission, the Member States and the wider stakeholders to set up the
infrastructure for implementation. DG Health and Consumers has focused on
developing the appropriate structure for strategy implementation, with the aim to
engage, or bring together relevant actors on specific priority topics. The new
structures include the Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action, the
European Alcohol and Health Forum and the Committee on Data Collection,
Indicators and Definitions. A number of other Community policy areas, such as
Transport, have also taken concrete actions that contribute to the priority areas of the
Alcohol Strategy. A range of alcohol-focussed projects have been carried out under
Community Health Programmes 2003-2008, summarised in Annex 2.
Across the EU Member States there has been a steady convergence of actions
towards those identified as good practice. Most Member States now have a written
alcohol policy in place. There is a continuous trend towards an age limit of 18 years
for selling and serving alcohol, and towards lowered Blood Alcohol Concentration
limits for drivers of motorised vehicles. Annex 1 describes the development of policy
and action in EU Member States.
Wider stakeholders have been engaged through the new European Alcohol and
Health Forum. Members of the Forum include public health NGOs, alcohol
manufacturers and producers and health professionals, and membership has grown
to over 60. Members have launched over 100 commitments to act to reduce alcohol
related harm, and a balanced group of Forum Members has closely explored a range
of specific topics; such as marketing communication, national structures for self
regulation, and youth. The Forum's Science Group has adopted a scientific opinion
on the relationship between marketing communication and the volume and pattern of
young people alcohol consumption.
In conclusion, the recent activity makes for a promising start, but more needs to be
done by all in the framework of the consensus strategic approach. At the same time,
recent developments will continue to shape the implementation of the strategy. The
Science Group's opinion on the influence of marketing and advertising is valuable for
developing the next steps on this topic. In addition, the recent financial crisis argues
for a greater policy focus on specific aspects of alcohol policy, such as the
relationship between alcohol consumption and health inequalities, if health outcomes
are to improve.
The next progress report is due in 2012.
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/alcohol_en.htm
