www.alkoholpolitik.ch

EUROPEAN COMMISSION, HEALTH & CONSUMERS DIRECTORATE-GENERAL, Directorate C – Public Health and Risk Assessment
Unit C4 – Health Determinants, Brussels 17 November 2011
Summary Report, 12/22/11

Scientific Opinion of the Science Group of the European Alcohol and Health Forum

From the Foreword: The enormous burden of individual harm (often to those around the problem drinker as well as the drinker themselves) and aggregated lost productivity that are highlighted in the report should make it clear to all that inactivity is not an option and complacency will cost lives. We owe it to the populations we serve to use every opportunity that is founded in sound evidence to preserve and improve health and this report should lay the foundations of applying this to the workplace. But the workplace cannot be taken in isolation: just as work affects health and wellbeing beyond the workplace, so do many factors outside work, such as the price, availability and marketing of alcohol, or access to social programs and general healthcare reflect back on the health of the workforce. The Science Group believes that the European Commission across its various directorates has the potential to be a vital catalyst for good practice in this two-way process.
Professor Ian Gilmore
Chair, Science Group
From the Summary:
Impact of alcohol on the workplace and productivity
Globally, alcohol is the world’s number one risk factor for ill-health and premature death amongst the 25-59 year old age group, the core of the working age population. It is unsurprising, therefore that lost productivity costs feature as the dominant element in social costs studies arising from the harm done by alcohol (contributing to one half or more of the
total social costs). Becoming unemployed worsens alcohol-related harm, and heavy drinking, itself, leads to unemployment. Alcohol is a significant risk factor for absenteeism and presenteeism at work, largely in a dose response manner, with a relationship between societal and individual level of alcohol consumption and sickness absence. Although some studies have reported a positive impact of alcohol consumption on earnings, a proxy measure of productivity, a meta-analysis of relevant studies suggested that the relationship was an artefact. Often forgotten is the impact of drinkers on the productivity of people other than the drinker. An Australian study found this to be comparable in cost size as the lost
productivity costs of the drinkers themselves. The work place itself also impacts on alcoholrelated harm. Certain occupations (in particular bar staff and sea workers) are at particular risk, and, in general, stressful working environments increase the risk of alcohol-related harm.
(Source: Alcohol Reports, 12/18/11) ec.europa.eu, Sept. 2011
Comment: This report should be taken into account by all industrial leaders and governments. Especially interesting the part about the role of abstainers. It’s the same “artefact” as we see in studies on alcohol and health.

The financial crisis in Europe is affecting young people’s overall emotional well-being and capacity to learn. A report from Glasgow City Council highlights how pupils’ emotional stability underpins their ability to learn. In Estonia a notable rise in abuse of alcohol among youth is reported. However, EU countries report that social spending is bearing the heaviest austerity burden: e.g. the German “savings package” requires 37% of the savings to be taken from social spending.

At the same time the President of the European Commission Mr. Barroso finds the time to attend a gala of the alcohol lobbyist Brewers of Europe, to join their special interests by recognizing the “important contribution to European economy. And the value added of the sector to the economy is estimated at €50 Billion.”

The costs of the social harm caused by alcohol every year in the EU, however, are more than twice of that sum: €125 Billion.
“Mr. Barroso displays exactly the kind of thinking that got us into the crisis in the first place. Short-term profit thinking instead of long-term vision rooted in sustainable policies”, says Andrea Lavesson, President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace.

The EU is the heaviest alcohol consuming region in the world. Only the economic consequences, let alone the social and democratic harm, are enormous: productivity losses because of alcohol (absenteeism, unemployment and premature death) amount to €59 Billion per year.
In the face of these facts, it remains a riddle how the President of the European Commission can say things like: “And indeed the Commission looks to your industry as a key partner in pushing forward our growth agenda towards a more smart, inclusive and sustainable Europe, our Europe 2020 agenda.” … (Source: JOINT PRESS RELEASE by Active and The European Youth Forum (YFJ), 25.11.11)

New EU regulations could force the Norwegian government to overturn its current ban on alcohol advertising.
Labour’s (Ap) long hard-fought battle to retain the ban on advertising booze is now hanging by a thread following statements by the EU. Norway will not be exempt from the new European Union TV Directive (AVMSD).
European Commission Vice-President, Neelie Kroes wrote to the government saying it has no choice but to adopt it.
Deputy Foreign Minister Erik Lahnstein said to NRK this was an example of uncommon EU “plainspeaking”.
“The EU says it is consideration for the internal market that weighs heaviest, not Norwegian public health arguments. This puts the government in a difficult situation.” … (Source: Alcohol Reports-News, 08/22/11) theforeigner.no, 08/18/11 our online-comment: The European Union seems to be an economical union only. Not a union for the people. I hope Norway finds a way to resist.

Brussels, 5 July 2011 Eurocare Press Release:
Exemption of alcohol from Food Information to Consumers Provision
Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) is extremely disappointed with the shape of the Food Information to Consumers legislation which exempts alcoholic beverages from obligation to list its content. This is despite the fact that alcohol is high in calorie content, carbohydrates and certain ingredients used in its production can cause allergies or intolerances. We strongly believe that we all have the right to make informed choices and the current proposal will mean that one will know what is in a bottle of a fruit juice but not in a bottle of alcoholic beverage.
Providing information (about ingredients and energy value per 100ml) would allow consumers to assess the quality of the beverages and keep track of their calorie intake.
Marian Skar, Secretary General of Eurocare, says: ‘We are very disappointed and concerned about the exemption of alcohol from providing information to consumers. Labelling alcoholic drinks would allow consumers to make an informed choice about their diet and health. This is a bitter reminder about the influence of the powerful industry lobbying on the politicians and their failure to give priority to interest of the
people. It really makes us all wonder what is in our drinks, that the industry is so afraid to tell us’. The European Parliament’s decision is not only ignoring the health and letting people take their own informed choice but it is also not in line with EU’s previous declarations. As stated in the EU Alcohol Strategy launched in October 2006: ‘Citizens have the right to obtain relevant information on the impact, and in particular
on the risks and consequences related to harmful and hazardous consumption of alcohol, and to obtain more detailed information on added ingredients that may be harmful to the health of certain groups of consumers’.

Danach soll in Zukunft die Herkunft aller Fleisch- und Milchprodukte auf der Packung vermerkt werden. Und auch der Geburts- und Schlachtort der Tiere. Allergie-auslösende Stoffe gehören dann in die Liste der Inhaltsstoffe – und zwar auch bei nicht-verpackten Nahrungsmitteln, wie zum Beispiel im Restaurant. Die allgemeine Information ‘Pflanzliches Fett’ reicht nicht mehr aus. In Zukunft muss vermerkt werden von WELCHER Pflanze. Und es gilt 100 Gramm oder 100 Milliliter als Vergleichsgrundlage
Aber: Alkoholische Getränke sind ausgenommen – in Bier, Schnaps und Wein muss auch in Zukunft nicht aufgelistet werden, was alles drin steckt – zum Unmut von Verbraucherschutzorganisationen. Marianne Skar von Eurocare von der ‘European Alcohol Policy Alliance’ fragt sich, warum die Alkohol-Industrie nicht mit macht. “Wenn Wein solch ein natürliches Produkt ist, warum dann diese Geheimniskrämerei?” … (Quelle: Google Alcohol News, 7.7.11) euronews.net, 7.7.11

Jetzt geht es Verkehrssündern europaweit an den Geldbeutel: Das EU-Parlament hat die länderübergreifende Strafverfolgung beschlossen. Dazu wird eine elektronische Datenbank zur Halterermittlung eingerichtet.
Bislang war alles ganz einfach: Wer als Autofahrer im Ausland mal zu schnell fuhr oder eine rote Ampel ignorierte, kam oft unbehelligt davon. Wurde der Raser nicht gleich am Straßenrand von Beamten abkassiert, blieb der Strafzettel meist im Bürokratiedschungel stecken. Nun steht der erste Sommerurlaub vor der Tür, in dem sich deutsche Autofahrer bei Urlaubsknöllchen nicht mehr in Sicherheit wiegen können. … Acht Delikte sollen geahndet werden, darunter zu schnelles Fahren, Alkohol oder Handy am Steuer, das Überfahren einer roten Ampel, fehlender Sicherheitsgurt oder Helm. Falschparker haben noch zwei Jahre Schonfrist. 2013 soll auch diese Richtlinie in Kraft treten. … (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 7.7.11) focus.de, 6.7.11

Budapest, Hungary, June 16, 2011- The European Union is the heaviest drinking region in the world. Therefore, in Europe we suffer from the highest alcohol related problems. It is estimated that 58 million adults in the EU drink at risky levels, and 23 million are alcohol addicted. Alcohol constitutes the primary risk factor for accidents, injuries and violence. Approximately half of the deaths attributable to alcohol are from injuries.
This issue is being addressed at the 3rd European injury prevention conference, organised by EuroSafe in cooperation with the Hungarian Presidency of the European Council. Today stakeholders in the prevention of accidents and injuries from Europe and other continents meet in Budapest to exchange, debate and discuss the latest results in injury research, policies and practices. … (Source: Eurocare, Active Press Release, 06/16/11)

Landwirt Ludwig Renner im Allensbacher Ortsteil Kaltbrunn bekommt Besuch: Ein großer Lastwagen mit einem glänzenden Edelstahltank fährt vor seinem Hof vor. Zwei Männer, ausgerüstet mit Waage und Laptop, steigen aus und kaufen den Landwirten der Umgebung Alkohol ab, den diese im Laufe des Jahres gebrannt haben.
Schnapsbrenner können ihren Alkohol nur noch bis 2017 zum subventionierten Monopolpreis verkaufen. Danach müssen sie selbst vermarkten – oder die Produktion einstellen.
Die beiden Männer kommen von der Deutschen Edelbranntwein aus Karlsruhe, die für die Bundesmonopolverwaltung für Branntwein den Alkohol einsammelt. … (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 12.6.11) suedkurier.de, 11.6.11 mit unserem Online-Kommentar: Ein Branntweinmonopol sollte dazu dienen, den Konsum zu verringern. Statt subventioniert sollte Alkohol stärker besteuert werden, damit die alkoholbedingten Schäden gedeckt werden. Wenn der Staat richtig besteuern würde, könnte er damit auch die Prävention bezahlen. Auch besser wäre, wenn er Verhältnisprävention betreiben würde, statt unnütze Verhaltensprävention wie bisher meistens.

Eighth plenary meeting of the European Alcohol and health Forum, Brussels, 8 April 2011 – Summary report available
Released 06 June 2011
European Alcohol and Health Forum – List of members updated
Released 24 May 2011
8th meeting of the Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action, Luxembourg, 1-2 March 2011 – Summary report and presentations available
(Source: EU, 06/06/11)