Alcohol will be on the agenda of the Swedish presidency of the EU

Sweden has announced that in addition to following up the progress made in the implementation of the EU Alcohol Strategy approved in 2006, the Swedish Presidency will explore opportunities to further the development of public health-oriented alcohol policies.

During its presidency of the EU, Sweden will focus on four priority areas:

1) Alcohol advertising and commercial communications

2) Alcohol and ageing

3) Cross-border trade of alcoholic beverages

4) Harm caused by alcohol to the unborn child

Planned fora for addressing the alcohol issues:

1) The informal Health Ministers Council of 6–7 July 2009 in Jönköping

2) A public Expert Conference on the prevention of alcohol-related harm on 21–22 September 2009 in Stockholm

In order to assist the Swedish organisers of the presidency, we would be very grateful for any documents, information on best practices etc from your country relating to any of the four abovementioned areas with a short summary in English.

Please send this information to the NordAN Secretariat at nordan@nordan.org and the Eurocare Secretariat at info@eurocare.org

Deadline to send in contributions: before mid January.

Alcohol and ageing:

For example: National statistics of alcohol-related accidents, illnesses and deaths among men and women above the age of approx. 60.

Alcohol marketing and social marketing:

For example: national studies on the impact of alcohol advertising on young's people drinking. Any new regulations of alcohol marketing that have been passed in the last 2 years. Any recent, ongoing or planned nation-wide media campaigns aiming to reduce alcohol-related harm (i.e. social marketing), as well as evaluations of such campaigns if available.

Alcohol and harm to the unborn child:

For example: Recent studies carried out in your country on alcohol-related harm to the fetus. Longitudinal studies on long-term effects on children of their mothers' drinking during pregnancy. Recently, ongoing or future projects to reduce the prevalence of FAS/FASD in your country. Information on nation-wide campaigns, including their evaluation. Information on any regulations or systematic advise on drinking during pregnancy in your country, including health warning labels on bottles.

Alcohol affordability and cross-border trade:

For example: Studies/statistics from your country on the effect of price and purchasing power on alcohol consumption. Information about whether cross-border trade of alcohol is a problem that leads to quantitative losses to national treasuries (how large?) in your country. The significance of border trade of excise goods (mainly tobacco and alcohol) on consumption and harm. What is done in your country to reduce illegal trade and/or border trade of alcohol.