NATIONAL PLAN ALCOHOL AND HEALTH (PNAS) – Ministry of Health
Three years plan (2007-2009) approved in April. Ten objectives and 8 strategic actions, very similar to the content of WHO alcohol action plans.

GAINING HEALTH – Ministry of Health
General communication strategy on lifestyles, with specific actions regarding alcohol use:

1. Decrease availability of alcohol in living and working contexts, including alcohol availability on roads
2. Favour the production of low-alcohol drinks
3. Provide general population with correct information
4. Reduce alcohol related road accidents
5. Support primary and secondary prevention
6. Build alliances with workplaces
7. Protect minors from alcohol related harm
8. Invest in professional training

DRINK DRIVING Ministry of Transport
Government decree (DL N. 117 Ministry of Transport) on the more general issue of road safety 3 August 2007 (which needs to be translated into law within 60 days, otherwise it decays).

Art 6 Driving under the influence of alcohol

As opposed tom previous regulations, the offence is punished with 3 different kinds of penalties according to different BAC levels:

1. between 0.5 and 0.8 g/l: fines between 500 and 2000 euros, imprisonment up to one month, driving licence suspended for 3-6 months
2. between 0.8 and 1.5 g/l: fines between 800 and 3200 euros, imprisonment up to three months, driving licence suspended for 6-12 months
3. more than 1.5 g/l: fines between 1500 and 6000 euros, imprisonment up to six months, driving licence suspended for 12-24 months

In reference to case b and c, the offender can ask to change penalties into voluntary activity in health trauma departments.  Regarding the penalty points systems, offenders lose ten points.  In case of more than one violation within two years, or violations by professional drivers, the driving licence is revoked and immediately withdrawn.  In all cases, offenders have to have a medical check within 60 days after notification, in order to verify their ability to drive.

Art 6.1 Driving under the influence of alcohol and road accidents

Penalties are doubled in case of road accidents (there was no difference in sanctions before the decree).  The vehicle is taken away for 90 days by the judge.

There is nothing on new  or young drivers (like, for example, in Germany)

The problem is, once again, the enforcement of these new regulations.  The number of controls is still very low.  Educational programmes specifically targeting drink driving offenders are not included (except some sort of voluntary activities in health centres for rehabilitation of road victims).

ALCOHOL MARKETING – Ministry of Social Affairs
The Minister of Social Affairs has publicly repeated his intention to introduce new regulations on alcohol marketing.   The National Committee on Alcohol, a group of alcohol experts established at the Ministry itself, was asked to draft a text modifying the present statutory law.  The proposal is basically very similar to the French Loi Evin, therefore aiming at avoiding  the association between alcohol and social, sexual and sport success.  It should also includes labels with health warning and messages about drinking in given circumstances (pregnancy, driving, at work ….) . 

The has been trying to propose and discuss the new text in the Council of Ministers for at least two months.  In recent interviews he has explicitly denounced the pressure of the drinks industry in delaying the discussion: “While we act to implement instruments in favour of road safety, we loose at the same time a good occasion to agree on new regulations on alcohol marketing, which could have a positive impact in terms of prevention”. 

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN - Ministry of Policies for young People

 “Life is not an optional.  Don’t drink and drive”
It includes the promotion of the “designated driver” (highly supported by the producers!)

NATIONAL ALCOHOL PREVENTION MONTH

1. Alcohol Prevention Day 12 april 2007 National Institute of Health (6th edition)Presentation of the most recent governmental strategies, sharing experiences with scientists, policy makers, advocacy organisations, updating of epidemiological data and of scientific evidences.
   
   
2. Local actions involving regional governments, municipalities and NGOs aiming at raising awareness in the general population about alcohol related problems.

REGIONAL LAW ON SELLING AND SUPPLYING ALCOHOL BEVERAGES At the beginning of September the Veneto Region has voted a new law regarding alcohol selling and supplying.  It is forbidden to sell and to supply alcohol beverages from 1 to 6 a.m. in all  drinking contexts (bars, restaurants, pubs ……).  It should be enforced with six months.

Tiziana Codenotti – September 2007