Council Conclusions on Alcohol and Health

The Council began its conclusions with a summary of previous actions on alcohol-related issues, such as European legislation and key actions done by the World Health Organisation. In particular, the European Council recalled the burden that alcohol represents today and emphasised the necessity for the European Commission to support and complement national policies.

Its addictive nature, but also marketing, affordability, and its ability to cross borders and reach vulnerable populations make alcohol a possibly harmful product of Community relevance.

Due to the fact that alcohol contributes to health inequalities, policies that deal with alcohol have to address all people living in Europe. They have to take into consideration the special needs and characteristics of all groups such as youth, the elderly, women and men.

Since alcohol policy is a national competence, the Council invites Member States to consider the role of pricing policy and other preventive measures to reduce alcohol-related harm. At the same time, awareness of the adverse effects of mixing alcohol and medicines has to be raised among medical professionals, informal carers and the elderly.

Based on the five priorities highlighted in the 2006 EU Alcohol Strategy, the Council advises Member States, in coordination with EU efforts, to use existing evidence as a basis for action, to foster a multi-sector approach and to develop existing national strategies.

The national developments will be reported to the European Commission by 2011.

Furthermore, the Council calls on the European Commission to provide support to national actions and to implement action to achieve the objectives of the European Strategy. In order to reduce alcohol-related harm, further action needs to be taken in the areas of marketing, illicit trade and pricing policies. It needs to ensure the full protection of children, youth and adolescents.

National and European activities will be reported to the Council by 2012 in order to identify good practices that will be part of the Commission’s future work on alcohol and health.

The Council invites Member States and the Commission to deepen cooperation in the areas of identification, dissemination and monitoring of effective measures aimed at minimising the impact of the harmful use of alcohol.

Further action is needed regarding risky behaviour associated with alcohol, which may lead to a contraction of infectious diseases.

In order to reduce alcohol-related harm, preventive measures and alcohol policy have to continue being on the political agenda. Further research is also needed on costs of alcohol-related harm for the health and social welfare.

For more information:
 The Council Conclusions

EPHA related articles:
 Council conclusions on Healthy and Dignified Ageing
 Council adopts a Recommendation on smoking prevention
 5th Plenary Meeting of the European Alcohol and Health Forum
 Second Conference on Alcohol Marketing in Europe
 EESC position on alcohol-related harm in European society