| Creation of the European Alcohol and Health Forum – 07/06/07 |
|
|
|
The European
Commission (EC), in cooperation with more than 40 businesses and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has taken the initiative to
create a European Alcohol and Heath Forum.
The Forum is a common platform for action against alcohol related harm. It brings together economic operators and NGOs “willing to devote time and resources” to battle the threat taking more than 200,000 European lives every year.
The Forum will meet twice a year and will be chaired by the EC's Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO). All NGOs and business wishing to become members should present “a concrete action plan with objectives and information on how the results will be monitored and evaluated” (these “commitments” should be presented in the course autumn 2007). EU Member States, European Institutions, the World Health Organization, and the International Organization for Vine and Wine will also participate in the Forum but in a capacity of observers. The EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou believes that “the media, advertisers, retailers, as well as owners of pubs and bars should also contribute to changing attitudes and behaviors, especially among young people”. He stressed, furthermore, that “we simply cannot afford to see so many young European lives being wasted every year because of the inappropriate use of alcohol." Background of European Union action On October 24th, 2006, the EC adopted a Communication setting out an EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm. The priorities identified in the Communication were: to protect young people and children; reduce injuries and deaths from alcohol-related road accidents; prevent harm among adults and reduce the negative impact on the economy; raise awareness of the impact on health of harmful alcohol consumption; and help gather reliable statistics. To read the text of the press release please, click here To read the related speech of the EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, click here To read the Commission Communication on an EU Strategy to support Member States to reduce alcohol related harm, click here |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
