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Monday, 02.12.2024, 12:37
European SocMins: steps must be taken to alleviate damage from alcohol
The PES health ministers gathered in Tallinn on Friday morning on the
margins of the informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs
Council (EPSCO) meeting and on the invitation of Estonian Minister for Health
and Labor Jevgeni Ossinovski.
"Europe is the heaviest drinking region in the world with the average
consumption level almost twice as high as the world average. In consequence,
the harm caused by alcohol is also the highest in the world, whether in the
form of numerous alcohol-related health conditions, or as a cost to society
caused by crime, violence, reduced ability to work, or harm to children and
families," Ossinovski said.
"We need more cooperation and coordination on the issues of alcohol
and health as many problems are not easily solved at a national level. These
are often exacerbated by cross-border issues, such as online advertising and
sales. For our EU presidency it is of vital importance to increase EU-wide
cooperation to develop successful tools to combat the problem of harmful use of
alcohol in our societies," the minister said.
The health ministers also discussed the priorities of the Estonian
EU presidency in the field of healthcare, including the future of e-health.
EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis
Andriukaitis also participated in the meeting.
The informal meeting of EU health ministers will continue at the Tallinn
Creative Hub on Friday and the topics to be discussed is how to decrease the
health damage caused by the harmful use of alcohol. The ministers will mainly
focus on pan-European aspects which impact the national alcohol policies of the
member states.