Finland backs the recommendations of the recent Alcohol in Europe report which agues that alcoholic products should carry health warnings. In an interview with EurActiv.com. professor Pekka Puska, the Director-General of the Finnish National Public Health Institute, spoke of the health priorities of the upcoming Finnish EU presidency:
"We do, indeed, see alcohol as a major issue. The consumption and the problems have increased. We want both the EU and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to do more on alcohol at international level," Puska said.
He added that the Finnish government has already agreed on the introduction of such warnings to alcoholic beverages and spirits. A government press release states that, in addition, "advertisements of alcoholic substances appealing to children and young people will be restricted and a warning about the dangers of alcohol to foetal development will be added to the bottles".
In a similar development, the French Parliament recently adopted an amendment to an existing law, obliging all alcoholic drinks marketed in France to carry a message warning about alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Bottles must have a picture/silhouette of a pregnant woman next to the indication of the degree of alcohol and a text indicating that even small quantities of alcohol can have serious consequences on the health of the child. Guidelines are set to be announced in June 2006 and could come into force already in 2006.
To read the full interview with Professor Puska, click here.
