Europeans support public policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm

Strong support of public policies is one of the key findings in the new Eurobarometer "EU citizens' attitudes towards alcohol".

The Special Eurobarometer survey on alcohol was carried out in October 2009 with 27 000 respondents.

Questions on drinking patterns and attitudes towards alcohol policies monitored trends from a similar survey in 2006. Awareness of alcohol-related risks was measured for the first time in this type of survey across the EU.

The survey shows there has been little variation in the prevalence of alcohol consumption since the question was last asked in autumn 2006 (75%) and that there is still ample cause for concern.

Eurocare is particularly worried about frequent binge drinking being so widespread across the EU, especially among young people:

• Three out of four respondents said they consume alcoholic drinks up to three times a week
• Young people aged 15-24 years are more likely than older age groups to have five or more drinks at a time.

There is also a trend to regular drinking among older age groups (those aged 55 years or more) that could lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases in an ageing population.

The low awareness among EU citizens of some of the health risks linked to alcohol consumption (e.g. cancers) and the fact that only 15% of the respondents thought that not drinking at all before driving is the safest option while the same proportion (14%) would still drive after more than two drinks in two hours show that the EU has still a long way to go in this field.

Eurocare welcomes the strong public support for policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. A clear majority (89% in favour) supports an 18-year age limit for selling and serving alcoholic beverages across the EU. A clear majority also (77%) think that alcohol advertising targeting young people should be banned across the EU. There is also strong endorsement for action against drink-driving, such as random checks by the police (83% in favour) and a lowered blood alcohol limit for young drivers (73% in favour). A clear majority (79%) support placing warnings for pregnant women and drivers (79%) on bottles. Placing warnings on alcohol advertisements receives even clearer support (82%).

Mariann Skar, Secretary General of Eurocare, the European Alcohol Policy Alliance, welcomed the findings in the report and said that “although the results of the survey show that there is still much work that needs to be done, we are pleased to see there is also that the European citizens support the adoption of public health policies aimed at reducing and preventing alcohol related harm, such as drink driving countermeasures, measures to reduce underage drinking, including a ban on advertising targeting minors, or measures to inform consumers of the health hazards of alcohol consumption”.

Click here to read CEPS (European Spirits Organisation) press release