EU forum to fight young people's booze abuse Business and NGOs in the newly set up European Alcohol and Health Forum have committed to concrete actions to protect young people against the harmful use of alcohol and irresponsible advertising and sales.
Some 40 business and non-governmental organisations signed on 7 June 2007 a Charter
establishing the European Alcohol and Health Forum (AHF) aiming to take action to protect European citizens from the harmful use of alcohol.
The common commitment of stakeholders is to put special emphasis on actions to protect children and young people, to promote responsibility and to prevent irresponsible commercial communication and sales.
"It is my firm belief that in order to make any real change in the fight against alcohol-related harm, the efforts must be high not only on the public health agenda, but also on the agenda of all stakeholders, including schools, employers, NGOs, alcoholic drinks producers, distributors, the advertising and media industries, local/national authorities, member states and the EU," said Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou.
Driven by the five key areas outlined in the EU Strategy in October 2006, the AHF "will be a very important cornerstone for the implementation of this strategy as it will focus on concrete action at European, national and local level", added Kyprianou.
The Charter foresees establishment of a Science Group, which will, at the request of the platform members, provide scientific advice and guidance on matters under discussion in the forum.
In addition, the AHF will establish two Task Forces: one on marketing communication to pursue the work of the 2006 Advertising Round Table, and one on youth-specific aspects of alcohol to examine trends in the drinking habits of young people.
