European Economic and Social Committee calls for statutory controls on alcohol marketing Self-regulation ‘not enough’

As requested by the Swedish Presidency, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has presented its views on alcohol-related harm in European society. The EESC calls for stricter controls on alcohol marketing and pricing policies in order to reduce problems associated with alcohol consumption.

These measures are aimed at reducing the proportion of people estimated to drink harmful levels of alcohol in the EU, which currently amounts to 15% of the adult population, as well as protecting children from its consequences.

At its plenary session of 30 September 2009, the EESC adopted the opinion on how to make the EU strategy on alcohol-related harm sustainable, long-term and multisectoral, by rapporteur Ms Jillian van Turnhout (Group III, Various Interests, Ireland).

The EESC’s opinion supports the implementation of an EU horizontal strategy in order to fight against the healthrelated, social and economic consequences of alcohol abuse and to promote responsible alcohol consumption.

The EESC opinion focuses on protecting children, who are particularly vulnerable to the problems caused by alcohol abuse. The rapporteur maintained that “in the EU, 5 to 9 million children in families are adversely affected by alcohol.” Moreover, the marketing of alcoholic beverages increases the likelihood that children and adolescents will start to use alcohol, and will drink more if they are already using alcohol.

The full opinion states:

Alcohol marketing is one of the factors that increases the likelihood that children and adolescents will start to use alcohol, and will drink more if they are already using alcohol. Given this, the EESC calls for a reduction in the exposure of children to alcohol marketing.

Appropriately designed alcohol pricing policies can be effective levers in reducing alcohol related harm, particularly among low income and young people. The EESC believes that regulation governing the availability, distribution and promotion of alcohol is needed; self-regulation in this area is not enough.

Apart from the medical consequences of alcohol abuse, the EESC emphasises the significance of other social and economic effects such as the increase in social costs due to health care and the loss of productivity. Ms van Turnhout also pointed out that “harmful alcohol consumption is a contributory factor for crime, violence and family deprivation, risky sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted diseases”.

To raise awareness about the risk of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which includes all the birth defects caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, the EESC supports awareness-raising campaigns at national and EU level.

The EESC also stated that more information is needed about the effects of harmful alcohol consumption on healthy and dignified ageing at an EU level.