Earlier this month twenty-one health groups announced they were withdrawing from the EU Alcohol and Health Forum after its commissioner said there were no plans to establish a new EU Alcohol Strategy.
A collectively signed letter outlines the group of NGOs “deep concerns” about the neglect of public health and the prioritisation of alcohol industry interests. The signatories include the heads of UK organisations such as the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS), Royal College of Physicians and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP).
The NGO's say they have decided to withdraw from EU Alcohol and Health Forum as its purpose was to support implementation of an EU strategy, and that the Forum has not been effective.
No EU level strategy had been in place since 2012 and instead the European Commission's Dr. Andriukaitis, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, recently set out plans to include alcohol within a wider framework for tackling chronic disease. However the signatories of the letter say this means action on key alcohol harms such as drink driving, domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation will therefore be overlooked.
Nina Renshaw, Secretary General of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), said, "the Forum has proved worse than useless, a free PR front for the industry" and that "the Commission even endorses the industry introducing drinking culture to young kids by promoting 'responsible' drinking in primary schools."
However SpirtsEurope issued a press release stating the resignations were "premature" given no clear details of the forthcoming framework had been released, also rejecting the charge that the Forum had lacked efficacy. It also said it would continue to work on "meaningful actions" with European partners and had a "commitment to change social norms for the better."
The walkout parallels that of England's Responsibility Deal, where health groups walked out at various stages, unhappy with the commitments being made and broader alcohol policy decisions such the u-turn on minimum pricing.
Eurocare, the European Alcohol Policy Alliance, had been campaigning for a comprehensive EU alcohol strategy and in April the European Parliament (EP) adopted a Resolution calling on the Commission to adopt a new strategy.
Earlier this year a House of Lords committee report had also called for key EU level action to reduce alcohol-related harms, rather than relying soley on efforts by member states. It highlighted the need in particular for reform on alcohol tax structures and labelling legislation, and clear measurable actions and evaluation on future actions.
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