Alcohol is the third biggest cause of preventable death and disease in Europe, and is a risk factor for over 60 chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and liver disease, and is also linked to obesity. Europe has the highest rate of alcohol consumption in the world, yet the previous EU strategy on addressing alcohol related harm ended in 2012 and has not been renewed.
 
Today, the Socialists and Democrats Group backed a parliamentary resolution calling for a new Alcohol Strategy (2016-2022), to fight against alcohol related harm.  We urgently need a new strategy to support member states in coordinating their work on monitoring and data collection, to encourage prevention and health promotion and education, early diagnosis, improved access to treatment, continuous support to affected people and their families, including counselling programmes and to reduce traffic accidents caused by drink driving.
 
The resolution also calls for the Commission to propose legislation on mandatory labelling of calories in alcohol, as alcoholic drinks were previously excluded from the Food Information Regulation.
 
S&D MEP and spokesperson on health, Matthias Groote, said:
 
"Prevention is key to reducing alcohol related harm, particularly for children and young adults. Member states should stringently enforce existing laws on the sale of alcohol to protect minors, and launch education and awareness campaigns across Europe."
 
S&D MEP and spokesperson on the Alcohol Strategy, Glenis Willmott, said:
 
"Many people don't realise how many calories are in alcohol and S&D MEPs have always argued for clear, honest labelling.
 
"Consumers have a right to know. This isn't about telling people what to do, but giving them the information they need to make informed choices.
 
"This is by no means an extreme measure and is actually supported by the brewers of Europe.
 
"The European Parliament has made it clear that we want the Commission to make tackling alcohol-related harm a priority.  We've sent a strong message to the Commission today and I hope they'll listen and finally come forward with a new strategy to set out how this will be done."