Eurocare welcomes the adoption of Global Alcohol Strategy by the WHO

In the two-hour long debate at the Assembly, all the member states acknowledged the harmful use of alcohol as a major public health issue. In the many member state interventions, delegates pointed to the global aspects of the problem and requested that alcohol problems receive a higher priority at the WHO and that more resources be allocated to address those problems and to implement the new global strategy.

The important concerns identified in the debate included the increasing culture of binge drinking among young people worldwide, and the expanding influence of the alcohol marketing and advertising. Delegates welcomed the varied evidence-based measures included in the strategy and their potential for successfully addressing alcohol problems.

The resolution was adopted with one amendment proposed by Thailand on behalf of the SEARO countries asking for adequate financial and human resources for implementation (inserted in par. 4 (1)).

The harmful use of alcohol has a serious effect on public health and is considered to be one of the main risk factors for poor health globally, the strategy document says.

Harmful drinking is a major avoidable risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis of the liver and various cancers. It is also associated with various infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and TB, as well as road traffic accidents, violence and suicides. The WHO estimates that in 2004, 2.5 million people worldwide died of alcohol-related causes (mainly heart and liver disease, road accidents, suicides and various cancers), representing 3.8 % of all deaths and 4,6% of the global burden of disease.

The Global strategy has been developed by WHO in close collaboration with Member States and it provides a portfolio of policy options and interventions for implementation at national level with the goal to reduce the harmful use of alcohol worldwide.

The resolution urges countries to complement and support national responses to public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol.

Ten recommended target areas for policy options include marketing of alcohol, availability and pricing policies. WHO was also requested to support countries in implementing the strategy and monitor progress at global, regional and national levels.

Mariann Skar, Secretary General of Eurocare stated “We warmly welcome the decision by the WHA to adopt a global strategy on alcohol. This is a key starting point in addressing the global threat to public health and social wellbeing represented by the harmful use of alcohol” and she added “Europe has a strong position and responsibility, being the world's leader on alcohol consumption and an important exporter of alcoholic beverages". She regretted that "we are exporting our drinking practices and norms to countries that lack the capability and capacity to meet the additional public health burden that results from them”.

The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) has as well welcomed the decision by the World Health Assembly, it's chairman, Derek Rutherford said: "Concerted action to reduce global alcohol problems is long overdue. Today's decision by the World Health Assembly is an important first step to address them. The strategy goes a long way in recognizing the transnational aspects of the alcohol issue. GAPA appreciates the wide range of supportive statements by WHO member states from both developed and developing countries in the discussion."

"The resolution and the strategy set priority areas for global action, provide guidance to countries and give a strong mandate to WHO to strengthen action at all levels on reducing harmful use of alcohol." says WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Ala Alwan."

Successful implementation of the strategy will require concerted action by countries, effective global governance and appropriate engagement of all relevant stakeholders. To this end, WHO will also encourage that the strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol are included as an integral part of work on global development and in related investment decisions

The strategy can be found at: http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA63/A63_13-en.pdf

Articles in the news:

Reuters (WHO) - WHO to tackle alcohol misuse, binge drinking Health ministers agreed on Thursday to try to curb binge drinking and other growing forms of excessive alcohol use through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing regulations.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE64J0LN20100520

The Associated Press (WHO) - Nations pledge crackdown on online alcohol ads Countries around the world are pledging to get tough with companies that market beer and liquor on social media networks such as Facebook, warning that such promotions threaten to entice a new generation into harmful drinking patterns.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5QFdZIFoHUGWuPjt0zU7ModU2cAD9FQKJL80

Hindustan Times (WHO) - Alcohol kills 2.5 million people worldwide: WHO Harmful use of alcohol kills 2.5 million people annually and is the eighth leading factor for deaths globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Alcohol-kills-2-5-million-people-worldwide-WHO/Article1-547590.aspx

The Publican (WHO) - World health chiefs back minimum pricing Health chiefs at the World Health Organisation (WHO) have called for the introduction of minimum pricing to reduce alcohol harm.
http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=67096&c=1