Press Release: EESC warns of the consequences of alcohol abuse

As requested by the Swedish Presidency, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)presented its views on alcohol-related harm in European society. The EESC called 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 European Economic and Social Committee (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 supported the implementation of an EU horizontal strategy in order to fight against the health-related, social and economic consequences of alcohol abuse and to promote responsible alcohol consumption.