[Denne artikkelen er skrevet av Juventes europeiske paraplyorganisasjon – Active]
Just recently self-regulation of alcohol industry activities has been put forward as an important element in a new EU Alcohol Strategy. This suggestion comes surprisingly at a time when evidence has made two things clear:
- Self-regulation does not work.
- Europeans understand that alcohol is no ordinary commodity and “widely support public policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm.”
“The alcohol industry has had more than a fair chance to prove self-regulation can work”, says Andrea Lavesson, President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace.
“But all independent evidence shows that self-regulation does not work for preventing alcohol harm. In the face of the fact that Europeans overwhelmingly support policies like, among others, banning alcohol marketing that targets youth, it is time that policy makers turn public opinion into public policy. Europe deserves real regulation to reduce and prevent alcohol harm.”
Europe is the heaviest alcohol using region in the world. Alcohol harm burdens individuals, families, communities and the society at large. It costs €125 Billion every year.
Children as young as 10 years are more familiar with alcohol brands and advertisements than with those from popular foods and snacks.
Independent research shows that self-regulation does not work. In 2010 the health committee of the Parliament in the United Kingdom examined advertising practices of the alcohol industry. Their conclusion is clear: “The industry’s own codes of conduct are systematically violated.”
Likewise, one of Australia’s leading public health researchers concluded in 2003, after a decade of studying the alcohol industry that self-regulation and voluntary codes had failed despite the industry’s constant reassurance that the system could be bettered.
“Self regulation is like Voldemort running Hogwarts. But Europe needs policies that can boost its well-being, creativity and productivity,” says Andrea Lavesson, from Active.
“Therefore we want to encourage and support decision makers to turn public opinion into smart public policies that can prevent and reduce alcohol harm easily and cost-effectively.”
More info:
- http://www.euractiv.com/specialreport-reviewing-europes-alcohol-harm-strategy/health-chief-wanted-drinking-kills-labels-news
- http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/455&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN
- http://ec.europa.eu/health/archive/ph_determinants/life_style/alcohol/documents/alcohol_europe_en.pdf
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17369359
- http://www.add-resources.org/alcohol-industrys-self-regulation-of-advertising-does-not-work.4722759.html
- http://www.ias.org.uk/resources/publications/theglobe/globe200603/gl200603_p15.html
- http://www.ias.org.uk/resources/publications/theglobe/globe200303/gl200303_p3.html
