Alcohol and health forum meets

More than 40 industry and health groups met formally for the first time yesterday (18 October) to discuss alcohol-related problems under the auspices of the European Commission.

The alcohol and health forum was set up in June to tackle problems ranging from drink-driving to underage drinking. According to the Commission, the forum aims in particular to find "concrete actions to protect children and young people and to prevent irresponsible commercial alcohol communication and sales".

Its members include doctors, advertisers, researchers, drinks companies and temperance groups.

Yesterday’s meeting saw members discuss the selection of scientists for an alcohol and health science group and the members of two task-forces on marketing and youth.

Jamie Fortescue of the European spirits association CEPS said that the forum represented "the partnership approach we have advocated for a long time".

The European Public Health Alliance said it would work to ensure the forum was "balanced and transparent", particularly when it came to the selection of scientists.

More than 40 industry and health groups met formally for the first time yesterday (18 October) to discuss alcohol-related problems under the auspices of the European Commission.