The report raises several issues including: labelling and warnings, binge-drinking, alcopops and reducing accidents caused by drinking and driving. The report was adopted by a large majority. To read the full dossier look at EPHA’s website.
EPHA welcomes that the rapporteur, Alessandro Foglietta, highlighted some of the important issues related to the harmful effects of alcohol:
high level of youth mortality in relation to traffic accidents
foetal alcohol syndrome
increasing alcohol addiction amongst young people
Hakon Riegels of Eurocare, also welcomed the report and said: "We are glad to see the support of the Parliament to the strategy proposed by the Commission.
Nevertheless, he stressed Eurocare’s disappointment with:
the rejection of the calls for health warning labels (especially concerning pregnant women)
the failure to adopt measures aimed at restricting the exposure of minors to alcohol advertising
the strong support for self regulation, which has proved to be quite ineffective.
Eurocare mentioned that a number of MEP’s echoed a concern regarding the aggressive lobbying of the alcohol industry. Attached: Eurocare Press Release September 2007.
Some reactions of the plenary session: The Greens/EFA would prefer a bolder strategy. They were disappointed that the two big groups did not want to follow the advice of the health Committee.
According to the WHO, the EU could save 95 billion euros annually with warning labels!
On warning labels, Commissioner Kyprianou said that the Commission would study the experience of Member States already using them. He mentioned the European alcohol and health forum as a place where concrete action will be developed.
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