European Commission's Alcohol and Health Forum will test alcohol industry's ability to commit to action

Eurocare Press Release - 17 October 200

Today, the Directorate for Public Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission (DG SANCO) will hold the first plenary meeting of the Alcohol and Health Forum. This multistakholder forum, modelled on the EU Platform for Diet, Physical Activity and Health, brings together actors pledging to take concrete actions to reduce alcohol related harm in Europe, now the heaviest drinking region in the world. This Forum constitutes the backbone of the Commission’s “EU Strategy to Support Member States in Reducing Alcohol Related Harm”. Released in October 2006, this strategy finally saw the day after years of mounting pressure to tackle the harm done by alcohol, which now costs the EU €125 billion every year due to ill health, accidents and injuries, crime and lost productivity. Launched in June 2007, the Forum counts over 40 members - businesses as well as NGO’s, including Eurocare, and several of its national members. European Institutions, the World Health Organisation, and EU Member States, will participate as observers. A Committee on National Policy and Action, a structure separate of the Forum, will allow Member States to coordinate national alcohol policies, whilst the Forum remains a platform for concrete action. This separation is fundamental, as Eurocare believe public health policies should be formulated without the interference of commercial interests. . . . . . . . Read Full Press Release __________________________________________________________________________________