As revealed in the new Alcohol Strategy, the Department of Health has issued new alcohol guidelines for pregnant women, advising that women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should abstain from alcohol.

Working with the alcohol industry to improve the labeling on alcohol containers was also a new measure unveiled in the new alcohol strategy. As from next year beer, wine and hard liquor packaging in Britain will carry warning labels detailing how many units of alcohol each drink contains as well as recommended safe drinking levels.

The number of young motorists involved in accidents while under the influence of alcohol is increasing, despite high profile anti drink drive publicity campaigns. Scotland Yard has revealed that almost a quarter of all offenders and casualties in London were aged between 17 and 24. A survey carried out by BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat suggested that a similar picture was emerging across the whole of the country.

By Walter Farke DHS (Germany)

The Federal Centre for Health Education has published the results of a representative survey on alcohol consumption among young people aged from 12 to 19. These results, released during a nationwide campaign against alcohol and addiction, show increases in alcohol consumption for this age group between 2005 and 2007.

By Dr. Ann Hope, Expert for the Rapporteur Ms. Jillian van Turnhout.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) opinion on the Communication from the Commission, An EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm, was adopted at its plenary session on 30 May 2007

Brussels, May 24. After a legislative process of 18 months, the EU Ministers for Culture and the Media have, by unanimity, reached political agreement on the revision of the EU Television Without Frontiers Directive.

The government of Estonia decided on 24 May to increase its alcohol excise duties by 30%.

Strasbourg, 23 May. The Members of the European Parliament have today voted against the adoption of the report prepared by the vice-chairman of the Beer group in the European Parliament, the MEP from Luxembourg, Ms Astrid Lulling, on minimum excise duties on alcohol.

Geneva 23 May. In spite of support from many countries, a resolution for a global strategy to diminish harmful alcohol use failed to go through, after opposition from alcohol-producing lands, with Cuba being a notable example.

Brussels, 11 April. MEPs in the Economics Committee say that minimum levels of duty for alcoholic drinks should be scrapped.