EU tension within Drinks Industry

The European Commission has undertaken a review of alcohol policy amid concerns about alcohol misuse and its damaging effect on public health. The results of the review, which covers a range of issues, from drink driving to the legal minimum drinking age, could be published as early as July.

In order to help draw up its recommendations, Brussels has commissioned a study from the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) in the UK, which has led to some tension within the drinks industry. One of the controversial suggestions made by the IAS report is that higher taxes could reduce drinks-related deaths. But IAS links to the Temperance Movement have led some industry members to question the independence of the report.

The health commissioner Markos Kyprianou, who has recently opened up negotiations with food companies over obesity, says there is no immediate need for new legislation and hopes to see an increase in self-regulation within the industry.

Although the European Commission has little or no regulatory powers when it comes to alcohol taxation, some members of the industry are concerned that this study’s findings could set the tone for future alcohol policy reviews in member states. However, the commission has made it clear that the IAS study is but one of many reports that will contribute to the final review.

© db June 2006