EUROCARE AND ALCOHOL POLICY IN EUROPEAN UNION OCTOBER 2005 DEREK RUTHERFORD

1. EUROCARE AND ALCOHOL POLICYIN EUROPEAN UNION OCTOBER 2005 DEREK RUTHERFORD

2. DEVELOPMENT OF EU ALCOHOL POLICY • 1977 DGV - Medico-Social Risks of Alcohol Consumption 3 day conference in Luxembourg. • 2001 Council of Ministers statement on alcohol • 2006 publication of DG SANCO’s alcohol strategy Why has it taken more than a ¼ century?

3. DEVELOPMENT OF EU ALCOHOL POLICY • Treaties - Maastricht and Amsterdam • “Contribute to the attainment of a high level of health protection” • “Health protection requirements shall form a constituent part of the Community’s other policies” • “To protect the health, safety and economic interests of consumers”

4. DEVELOPMENT OF EU ALCOHOL POLICY • Debate on excise duty: “The minimum rates… should be set at a level which takes account of health and social policy” • Entry of Sweden and Finland • French Government - Loi Evin • “European Court, on several occasions, has ruled its compatibility with the treaties”

5. EUROCARE • EUROCARE was formed in 1990 as an alliance of voluntary and non-governmental organisations representing a diversity of views and cultural attitudes and concerned with the impact of the European Union on alcohol policy in Member States

6. Eurocare Seeks • To build a Europe where the collective social and health interests take precedence over economic interest • To mobilise civil society for the promotion of alcohol policies which safeguard individuals, the family and society from the negative consequences of the harm done by alcohol

7. Eurocare in Action • PARTNERSHIP WITH WHO EUROPE • In 1992 invited as NGO observer to the 1st WHO European Alcohol Action Plan Counterparts meeting. Since then Eurocare has attended all 14 WHO Counterparts meetings • 1995 WHO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE • Eurocare’s NGO Statement to the lst WHO Ministerial Conference in Paris on Health, Society and Alcohol signed by over 80 European NGOs

8. Eurocare in Action • 1995 WHO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE • Alcohol Policy and the Public Good- A Guide for Action, published in conjunction with WHO as a contribution to the WHO Conferencein Paris

9. Eurocare in Action • 2001 - 2nd WHO Ministerial Conference on Alcohol and Young People, Stockholm. A report to the European Union Commissioner Padraig Flynn launches report 17th December 1998

10. Eurocare in Action • 2001 - 2nd WHO Ministerial Conference on Alcohol and Young People, Stockholm. Publication of report on Marketing Alcohol to Young People

11. Eurocare in Action • European Union • Counter Balancing Drinks Industry A response to the Amsterdam Group Report

12. Eurocare Activity • Lisbon Excise Conference • Polluter pays principle • Assesses external costs of alcohol - EU Parliament recommended this action to be taken

13. Eurocare Activity • Work with European Parliament • Alcopops

14. Council Ministers - 2001 A KEY HEALTH DETERMINANT IN EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

15. Council Expressed Concern Over • A high level of consumption related to mortality and morbidity • Major factor in accidents • Close link to: reduced productivity, unemployment, social marginalisation, domestic violence, criminality, homelessness and mental ill-health • Binge drinking • Alcohol problems significant in new Member States

16. Council of Ministers Action Plan • Develop a comprehensive Community strategy aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm • A co-ordinated range of Community activities in all relevant policy areas • Co-operation between Member States and WHO • Commission to put forward proposals for a comprehensive Community strategy

17. Alcohol Consumption by Young PeopleCouncil Recommendation • Formulating strategies with a common approach across the community and Member States to: • Raise awareness of the effects of alcohol drinking and prevent the negative consequences of its consumption • Increase young people’s involvement in youth health-related policies and action

18. Commission Should • Report on the implementation of the proposed measures at the latest four years after the date of adoption of the recommendation

19. DG Sanco Alcohol Strategy • Alcohol and Health Working Party Draft Strategy • Working Party Recommendations: • Role of NGOs • Commission • Member States • Industry

20. Role of NGOs • Setting targets for the regulation of commercial communications, monitoring and reporting on the marketing strategies of the alcohol industry, and on the enforcement of regulatory and self-regulatory mechanisms. • Translating the evidence base into easily understood policies and practices to reduce the harm done by alcohol and acting as a ‘watchdog’ for (monitoring) the implementation of such policies and practices.

21. Commission • Assess the possibility to have a special rate of excise duty on specific alcoholic beverages that are proved to cause harmful consumption in particular among young people.

22. Member States • Taking actions to protect children and adolescents from commercial communications for alcohol. • Establishing effective pricing policies that have an impact on young people.

23. Drinks Industry • Submitting any educational type messages placed on alcoholic beverages to review by an independent government appointed public health body before placing them on the labels. • Ceasing the production and marketing of products that are attractive to or target children and adolescents. • Endorsing the monitoring and enforcement of its own code of conduct through a body that is independent of the alcohol and advertising industries.

24. Eurocare’s Agenda • Alcohol Policy Network in the Context of a Larger Europe • 3 year project with a grant of €1.2 million from DG SANCO • Create a European Alcohol Policy Network with representation in all Member States • Encourage Member States to implement The Council’s recommendation on Alcohol and Young People • Develop a comprehensive approach across the EU on a community strategy to reduce alcohol related harm • Produce an Alcohol Advocacy School

25. Eurocare’s Agenda • European Youth Forum • Working Group on Alcohol Policy • Report for September/October 2006.

26. Eurocare’s Agenda • EU Alcohol Strategy • Effective Control of Alcohol Advertising and Commercial Communications • Television Without Frontiers Directive Revision • Watchdog on (monitor) Industry and Social Aspect Groups • Support for new WHO Alcohol Policy Framework • Developing and encouraging a Political Will

27. Governments and NGOs Watchdog for Public Health • Public Health Policies concerning alcohol need to be formulated by Public Health Interests, without interference from Commercial Interests • WHO Declaration Stockholm 2001

28. EUROCARE - Role "A particularly important role can be played by enlightened non-governmental organisations, which can often speak with passion and insight on the true impact of alcohol on individuals, families and communities. Such organisations can also bring the commitment of energy to work even in the face of political risks.” Dr AsvallFormer WHO Regional Director Europe

29. WHOFIVE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES • All people have the right to a family, community and working life protected from accidents, violence and other negative consequences of alcohol consumption. • All people have the right to valid impartial information and education, starting early in life, on the consequences of alcohol consumption on health and family and society. • All children and adolescents have the right to grow up in an environment protected from the negative consequences of alcohol consumption and, to the extent possible, from the promotion of alcoholic beverages.

30. WHO FIVE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES • All people with hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption and members of their families have the right to accessible treatment and care. • All people who do not wish to consume alcohol, or who cannot do so for health or other reasons, have the right to be safeguarded from pressures to drink and be supported in their non-drinking behaviour.