Alcohol is one of the key health determinants in the European countries which needs to be tackled. Europe is the continent where per capita alcohol consumption is the highest in the world. In established market economies such as the EU Member States the burden of disease and injury attributable to alcohol is estimated to be situated between 8 and 10%.

Combating alcohol-related harm therefore is a public health priority in many Member States, and at EU level. It is not only health consequences in a narrow sense which raise concern. The social dimension has also to be considered: violence, hooliganism, crime, family problems, social exclusion, problems at the workplace and drink driving. All these are areas where political action is needed. There is agreement among the Member States that, beyond individual national efforts, a joint alcohol strategy at Community level is needed.

Overview of Member States policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm

Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action

European Alcohol and Health Forum

Committee on Data Collection, Indicators and Definitions

Study on "The affordability of alcoholic beverages in the European Union - Understanding the link between alcohol affordability, consumption and harms"

Eurobarometer report: Attitudes towards alcohol

Commission adopts Communication on reducing alcohol-related harm in Europe

Factsheet on Alcohol

EU to step up prevention of alcohol-related harm (streaming video .wmv - 17 Mb)