On the occasion of an event in the European Parliament marking the Brewers’ of Europe’s “Brewers’ Pledge” EPHA has issued a reaction, expressing our scepticism at the ability of modern technology and self regulation to tackle the enormous harms caused by alcohol misuse in Europe.
EPHA has released the following comments today (28 February 2012) on the occasion of an event organised by the Brewers’ of Europe launching what they have called the ‘Brewers’ Pledge’. The Brewers claim that the Pledge represents a proactive stance on their part to tackle what they themselves recognise is a ‘serious issue’. Their promise to address this with ‘informational campaigns’, however, does not go far enough.
“What the alcohol industry call a ‘proactive stance’ to tackling alcohol harm through self regulation is in fact nothing more than a desperate pre-emptive measure on their part to avoid more restrictive, binding legislation. In other words legislation which might actually go some way to tackling the enormous harms caused by alcohol misuse, both to those who misuse, and to third parties.” reacted Monika Kosinska, Secretary General of EPHA
“The industry may claim that disseminating information via social media tools will fulfil Commissioner Dalli’s message to “live up to today’s challenges by using today’s tools” and reduce alcohol related harm, but we in the public health community know that this is a smoke-screen for aggressive marketing to young people. There are three principle factors affecting consumption; price, marketing and availability. Moves taken by the alcohol industry to change these are welcome, however the ‘Brewers’ pledge’ appears to be merely a public affairs exercise.” continued Kosinska.
According to a comprehensive report produced by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, pricing interventions are the most effective way to reduce levels of consumption and setting a minimum price per unit being the most effective measure of all, particularly in affecting young people’s consumption.
Self regulation of industry advertising has never worked. We stand here in Europe with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality due to alcohol in the world. 87 NGOs recently called on the European Commission to take this into consideration and increase its commitment to tackle one of the main factors in the burden of chronic non communicable diseases by proposing a comprehensive Alcohol Strategy to cover the period 2013-2020.
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