First global strategy on Alcohol adopted

GENEVA The first global strategy for reducing harmful use of alcohol was adopted by the 193 UN-countries on the sixty-third session of World Health Assembly 20th of May.

– It is a milestone for the world's public health that it now has been adopted. The strategy contains a lot of the restrictive Swedish alcohol policy and experiences on how to reduce alcohol harm, says Swedish minister of Public health, Maria Larsson, to Drugnews.

The strategy is all about clear recommendations to the countries on how to reduce alcohol harm at home. Among the tools mentioned is an active pricing policy, alcohol taxes, restrictions on advertising directed to young people, licensed shops or licensed retail monopoly, regulated opening hours, minimum age limits and clear alcohol laws. 


WHO-reports identify alcohol abuse as a serious public health problem. It’s the third risk factor for disease and premature death. Alcohol is also linked to traffic accidents, violence, family fights and the spread of tuberculosis and HIV. 


But alcohol is also a social and economic obstacle for development in poor countries. Abuse can stand in the way of security, industrialization, and to give people an opportunity for prosperity in their own countries. 


Now it is up to the WHO's regional offices around the world to ensure that the strategy uses by the members and integrates into national laws. 

– I am very pleased that the world could finally agree on the strategy which is both balanced and based on science and experience, says ms Maria Larsson.

• More: Agreements at World Health Assembly a gift to public health.

Av Drugnews/SL

Publicerad: 2010-05-23 16:00