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Addictive and harmful substances and behaviours
You will read here about tobacco control and smoking prevention policies, information on alcohol and other substances that contribute to ill-health.
Tobacco-related illnesses kill 5.4 million people a year and if current patterns persist, smoking will kill more than 8 million a year by 2030 . But tobacco is also the number one cause of preventable death in the world today.
Alcohol, that the European Union consumes each year with the highest proportion in the world , is linked to more than 60 types of disease and injury and causes 2.5 million deaths worldwide and 69.4 million of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs).
Drugs overdose kills one European per hour .
The European Public Health Alliance is advocating for EU actions to reduce the harm caused by these substances abuse, being through legislation on tobacco marketing or alcohol minimum pricing.
16/07/2010
Promoting gender equity in health: the ENGENDER Project
EPHA is part of the ENGENDER project which aims to counter the current lack of information on actions, policy and programmes aiming to improve gender equity in health.
Launched in November 2009, ENGENDER has three specific objectives:
promoting and supporting gender equity in health by developing an online inventory of good practices in Europe,
creating a sustainable "European network on policies and interventions tackling gender based inequalities in health", a forum to exchange (...)
4/11/2011
How to combat obesity and raise public revenue - Denmark increases taxes on alcopops and ‘junk food’
Denmark has today taken further steps towards improving the health of its citizens through a series of tax reforms designed to make "junk food" more expensive. It also goes beyond the European established minimum levels of taxation of products such as alcohol and tobacco.
*** Press release - For Immediate Release ***
Brussels, 01 July 2010
Today, Denmark increases by 25% taxes on ice cream, chocolate and sweets, as well as increases taxes on soft drinks, tobacco and alcohol products. A (...)
About :
alcohol
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Cancer
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Chronic Diseases
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food, diet and nutrition
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prevention
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tobacco and smoking
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Trade and Health
22/06/2010
Drinks industry should change way it works to help lower alcohol deaths
Reducing deaths from alcohol-related liver disease need not affect the bottom line of the drinks industry, according to a new article published in Clinical Medicine, the journal of EPHA member the Royal College of Physicians. Using the example of alcohol policy in France over the last 40 years, the study shows that by improving the quality, but reducing the quantity of wine produced, lives were saved while the industry continued to be profitable.
The article also shows how damaging the (...)
12/12/2011
EPHA position on the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy
EPHA - the European Public Health Alliance has responded to the European Commission consultation on the Future of the Common Agriculture Policy, outlining what measures must be taken for a healthier Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) in Europe and outside of its boundaries.
EPHA response to the consultation on CAP
From a public health point of view, EPHA expects a CAP based on equity, the universal right to safe, affordable, nutritious food, as well as good governance and transparency in (...)
27/05/2010
Europe’s politicians put women on ’red alert’ for their risks of cardiovascular disease
The fact that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in Europe remains an underrecognised fact. On 27 April 2010 MEPs reunited to highlight it at an event entitled ’Red alert for Women’s hearts’ held in the European Parliament with the support of EPHA member the European Heart Network and the European Society of Cardiology.
More women die from CVD than from all cancers combined, yet despite this many women - and many of their physicians - (...)
28/05/2010
"Health in the European Union - Trends and analysis"
In 2009, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies published its ’’Health in the European Union - Trends and analysis" Report. The report investigates the existing differences between and within Member States regarding health status and access to health.
Chronic diseases
Cancer rates are generally on the increase in the EU. While men are generally more touched by cancer, with lung cancer the number one killer, national and regional differences exist too. (...)
22/06/2010
Alcohol, tobacco and food high in fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt will see price increases in Denmark
Although alcohol and tobacco taxes are harmonised across Europe, while respecting the EU taxation harmonisation rules (minimum tax principle) Denmark has decided to go beyond the established minimum levels by taxing certain products higher.
As part of its 2010 tax reform, Denmark intends to implement the following changes:
increased taxation of tobacco ;
In-store alcopops prices will increase. Cider as well as alcoholic drinks based on cider and fruit wines will also be hit; (...)
31/05/2010
Is drink driving legislation effective? Release of 16th Road Safety PIN Flash
On 5 May 2010, the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) launched its 16th Road Safety PIN Flash on the three major issues regarding road safety: tackling excessive speed, drink driving and non-use of seatbelts since 2001.
Overall, the report shows a rather positive trend on road deaths due to the enforcement of drink driving legislation. Figures show an average of 5.8% decrease per year in alcohol related deaths, compared to a 4.2% decrease in other road deaths. These numbers should, (...)
About :
accidents and injuries
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alcohol
9/12/2011
Minimum pricing for alcohol: EPHA applauds landmark move by leading UK retailer
One of the largest retailers in the UK has publicly come out in support the introduction of minimum pricing for alcoholic beverages. EPHA welcomes this move as a step in the right direction to protecting citziens from alcohol-related harm.
Minimum pricing for alcohol: EPHA applauds landmark move by leading UK retailer
Brussels, 21 May 2010
The European Public Health Alliance welcomed today’s decision by the Chief Executive of Tesco Sir Terry Leahy to support the introduction of a (...)
About :
alcohol
29/04/2010
4th European Alcohol Policy Conference
With the aim of stimulating action in alcohol policy, EPHA member Eurocare organises the fourth European Alcohol Policy Conference that will take place on 21-22 June 2010 in Brussels.
After three successful conferences that took place in 2004 (Warsaw), in 2006 (Helsinki) and 2008 (Barcelona), Eurocare chose Brussels to hold the fourth conference in order to involve an audience as wide as possible.
The scope of the conference is to promote and disseminate knowledge about current thinking (...)
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The European Public Health Alliance runs projects which receive financial support from the European Commission. The views expressed in this website do not necessarily reflect the official views of the EU institutions.
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