Youth drinking and binge drinking. 25 February 2010, Brussels
The Department of Health and Consumer of the European Commission, DG SANCO, is organising a seminar on Youth drinking and binge drinking.
Date: 25 February 2010, Time: 10:00 - 17:00 hrs
Despite the increasing scientific evidence on the adverse effects that alcohol consumption can have on children, worrying trends of (binge) drinking by children are a reality in all parts of the EU. This increasingly results in their hospitalisation or otherwise causing use of emergency care because of alcohol intoxication.
The first part of the seminar will analyse the problem of youth drinking and the involvement of the medical profession. The second part will focus on the role of parents in preventing their children from drinking alcoholic beverages at an early age. Youth drinking and binge drinking is a multifactor phenomenon. Without suggesting that the role of parents is a key factor in the prevalence or absence of youth drinking and binge drinking, there can be no doubt that the role of parents deserves attention and consideration. Should parents for instance allow their under 16 children to drink at home, within limits on frequency and amounts, or is zero tolerance preferable? The views on this seem to diverge.
The seminar will be chaired by the Director-General for Health and Consumers. Intended participants include scientists, medical organisations, Member States representatives, public health authorities, family organisations, youth organisations, and other stakeholders, such as members of the European Alcohol and Health Forum.
Further information on the programme will follow in the second half of January. Then also the registration will start.
