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The World Health Organisation (WHO) plans to adopt an action plan for a "global strategy to reduce harmful alcohol consumption" in May. The plan runs from 2022 to 2030 and aims for a relative reduction in harmful alcohol consumption of at least 20 per cent compared to 2010. In it, the WHO calls for "highly effective policy options and legislative methods". The "proposed measures" include, for example, the "implementation of minimum prices and tax policies", the "development and implementation of warning labels" for beverages, as well as the "limited spatial and temporal availability" of alcoholic beverages, the restriction of online trade and the limitation or even bans on advertising and marketing.
Dr. Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, Secretary General of the European trade association "Comité Européen des Enterprises Vins" (CEEV) in Brussels, criticises that alcohol is almost treated like an illegal product in this plan. The recommendations are aimed at reducing the consumption in general instead of taking targeted action against abuse. Therefore, it is important that the wine industry and the entire sector does everything in its power to distinguish itself as a "sustainable and responsible sector" and at the same time to defend itself against the renewed claim that there is "no safe measure" for alcohol consumption.
On 14 February 2022, for example, the EU Parliament could adopt a committee report on cancer control that treats wine like tobacco. The report says, for example, that every form of alcohol consumption is dangerous to health - regardless of the quantity. As a consequence, this could trigger an end to alcohol advertising in the EU as well as to financial support for viticulture and wine sales.
(al / source: drinksbusiness; photo: wikimedia commons)
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