The New Public Health Programme 2008-2013 is making a first call for proposals to be published end of February. An Infoday will be organised by DG SANCO on 12 March 2008 in Luxembourg for anyone who wishes to participate. There are limited places, so participation will be ensured only on a first-come-first-served basis. Registration closes on 3 March 2008.

As from 1 January 2008, Slovenia is the first new EU member States to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The presidencyshall continue to strive for the implementation of joint priorities and commitments mutually developed within the framework of the 18-month programme of German-Portuguese-Slovenian Presidency. Priorities are the promotion of health by encouraging a healthy lifestyle, particularly healthy nutrition and physical activity, prevention and control of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and flu pandemics, innovations in healthcare and accessibility of healthcare services.

The European Parliament Advertising Platform (AdVantage), a platform that facilitates debates regarding advertising’s role, responsibilities to society, and its relation to EU policy-making, has scheduled three events for 2008. The first event will be held in April and act as a debate over the issue of influence on advertising and consumer-generated issues. The second event in June will focus on sports advertising and be run in a similar vain. In October, the third event will debate climate change.

The first meeting of the Marketing Communications Task Force took place on 11th December 2007.

Amended Mandate, Work Plan and Minutes of the Meeting available here:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/Forum/alcohol_forum_en.htm

The next meeting of the Task Force will take place in Brussels on 4th and 5th March. It will be composed of a one day workshop, showcasing NGO and Industry projects, followed by a half day meeting.

Next Meetings
Next Plenary Meeting: 16 April 2008
Open Forum Meeting: 17 April 2008

The first meeting of the Youth Task Force took place on 22nd November 2007.

Amended Mandate, Work Plan, Composition and Minutes of the Meeting available here:

http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/Forum/alcohol_forum_en.htm

The next meeting of the Task Force will take place in Luxembourg on 19th- 20th February 2008. It will be composed of a one-day workshop, showcasing NGO and Industry projects, followed by a half day meeting.

A summary of that first meeting that took place last November in Luxembourg is now available on the Commission’s website at: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/documents/ev_20071105_en.pd

By Ritva Varamäki, Vice-Secretary of Eurocare and Development Manager for Finnish Center for Health Promotion

After Le Parisien published an editorial article entitled, “The Triumph of Champagne,” which reviewed various brands of champagne, the National Association for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Addiction took the paper to court. The court ruled that despite being an editorial, the article should have “conformed to advertising regulations and included a health warning on excessive drinking.” This ruling reinforces the already established regulatory guidelines.

For the full article http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=55477

With the passing of new legislation, Hungarian drivers who have consumed any amount of alcohol at all will immediately have their licenses revoked. Authorities are hoping that the new, zero-tolerance legislation will significantly reduce the number of traffic accidents and alcohol-related auto injuries.

For full article http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=01&dd=20&nav_id=47093

The Consumer Ombudsman has introduced a complete ban on pub crawls, body tequilas and booze games in travel marketing directed at young people. As a result, travel agencies are no longer allowed to use alcohol as “bait” when advertising holidays.