Conference Statement

At the end of the conference delegates agreed to the following statement:

Harmful use of alcohol is associated with serious health and social consequences among individuals, communities and societies at large. Alcohol problems are increasing in magnitude and severity around the world in many countries, including Korea, but tend to be given less attention than they deserve. In response to this situation, the Korean Public Health Association,with the support of the Ministry of Health andWelfare, held the First International Alcohol Conference in Seoul,Korea for three days, 5-7 December 2006. Among the participants of this conference were 16 foreign alcohol experts associated with international organizations, governmental research institutes, universities, and nongovernmental organizations in 11 different countries around the world.

All the participants, fully appreciating the resolution of the World Health Assembly on public health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol and the regional strategy endorsed by the Regional Committee ofWHO Regional Office for theWestern Pacific, agreed to appeal to governments, civic societies, professional organizations, non-governmental organizations and all who are involved in alcohol policy and programmes:

1. We recognize that governments and society as a whole should have a significant role in protecting people from alcohol related harms since the use of alcohol has a negative impact on not only drinkers themselves but also others including non-drinkers, children and the unborn.

2. We support the attention to prevention and reduction of alcohol related problems in the Korean governmental initiative ‘Blue Bird Plan 2010.’ In particular, prompt and sustained responses should be attempted to reduce harms caused by the use of alcohol among vulnerable groups, including youth and women.

3. We recommend the development of a long-term plan of institutionalized comprehensive approaches to alcohol related problems, including measures shown to be effective in scientific research and other countries, such as taxation and alcohol pricing, restriction on accessibility and availability of alcohol, while effectively implementing current policy measures.

4. We recognize that every citizen has a right to live in a social environment where there is no social pressure to drink against one's will and respect for choices not to drink.One way to build such an environment is to put more restriction on alcohol advertisement and sponsorships that may lead to harmful alcohol use.

5. We believe that comprehensive, accessible, affordable and equitable health and welfare services which provide prevention, counselling, protection, treatment and rehabilitation, should be available to those in need, their families and significant others.

6. We recognize a need to institutionalize a funding mechanism to secure financial support for alcohol policy and programmes. This could be done, for example, by either levying surcharge on alcohol or designating a certain amount of alcohol tax for such purposes.

7. Recognizing that alcohol-related problems have health and social dimensions,well-coordinated partnerships and interactions are required to prevent and reduce these problems. Active and appropriate engagement of all concerned is needed, including the government, civic society, health and welfare professionals, alcohol industry and hospitality sectors. An interagency coordinating mechanism should be established for ensuring concerted actions of different sectors in reduction of alcohol-related harms.

8. We urge the nation to invest enough resources into research and evaluation in order to systematically monitor and periodically report on the levels of alcohol consumption and related problems, and to develop strategies and programmes to reduce them.

9. We recognize the need for strengthening international cooperation and collaboration in the area of alcohol policy and programmes with a supporting and leadership role of theWorld Health Organization and other appropriate international organizations.

December 2006, Seoul,Korea