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Wednesday, 17.04.2024, 23:55
Estonian medical association backs alcohol sale restrictions sought by minister
"Proposals of the medical profession to curb alcohol advertising and the availability of alcohol have so far mostly attracted consenting nods, not actions from the politicians," the general assembly of the Estonian Medical Association said in a statement adopted on November 28th.
"The government took the right path by raising the alcohol excise duty, which is an effective means for reducing the consumption of alcohol, but it is not enough. The bold plan of the minister of health to impose stricter rules on the advertising and sale of alcohol will bring us a big step forward on that path."
"Our recommendation for the minister of economic affairs, who reiterated the arguments of alcohol producers about lacking analysis, reasoning and evidence almost verbatim when he rejected the bill is to come out from behind the back of entrepreneurs and listen to health experts instead," the Estonian Medical Association said. "You don't have to invent the bicycle again – the effectiveness of restrictions has been proven by multiple studies and the practices of different countries."
The proposal of the Estonian Medical Association is to fully ban alcohol advertisements – we have a positive example right in front of our eyes in the ban on tobacco advertisements, the association said.