Alcohol industry self-commitments under EU scrutiny[fr][de] 

"In less than 10 months, stakeholders have tabled an impressive range of 78 commitments. This in itself is a sign of their willingness to take [on] their responsibilities," Vassiliou told the European Alcohol and Health Forum on 16 April.

The Forum was launched in June 2007 as part of the Commission's strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm in Europe (see EurActiv 25/10/06). It is a platform in which all member states and relevant stakeholders can commit to voluntary actions to curb under-age drinking and provide information and education programmes on the effects of harmful drinking, as well as promote responsible commercial communication and sales. 

The commitments made so far come from the Forum's 46 major stakeholders representing the alcohol industry, advertising agencies, public health NGOs and youth and medical associations.

"Obviously, committing to action is one thing - delivering is a different thing," said Vassiliou, promising she would follow up on the implementation "very closely" and report on the results of the Forum's actions in 2009. In particular, "I expect the alcohol beverage industry to market their products responsibly and not to target directly young people or children," she said. 

Vassiliou explained that in addition to the Alcohol and Health Forum, the Commission is progressing with its work to curb the social harm of alcohol through policy development and coordination of EU-27 national policies as well as through integration of health in other policies, such as transport, education and youth, agriculture, research or taxation.

Asked whether the Commission is preparing a legal proposal on reducing alcohol-related social harm, Vassiliou said it was "very premature" to say so as the EU executive wanted to give the stakeholder forum a chance to show what it can do by self-regulation. However, she added she would examine the impact of the action taken and "then decide on how we proceed" in 2009. 

Europeans drink the most in the world (the highest alcohol per capita consumption) and alcohol causes nearly 1 in 10 of all cases of ill-health and premature death in Europe. Young people aged 15-29 are particularly at risk, as harmful alcohol consumption is estimated to be responsible for one in four deaths of men and one in ten deaths of women in that age group.