The Health Promotion Committee has adopted the Work Programme for 1997, which includes activity in regard to alcohol. Health promotion is defined as being concerned with healthy lifestyles and the creation of supportive environments. The community's action programme aims at encouraging the evaluation of the impact of health promotion policies and instruments, and the development of a health promotion approach in member states by promoting the devising and assessment of health promotion strategies and the dissemination of models of good practice. Special attention will be given to intersectoral and multidisciplinary approaches and the creation of supportive environments to health promotion for vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.
Special emphasis is placed on health determinants rather than diseases.
Priority will be given to enabling the creation of supportive environments and healthy alternatives as well as individuals' and communities' control over their health. The programme states that alcohol and health will be further discussed with the broad scientific community and others in this field. A document will be drafted for discussion in the Parliament and in the Council. Partnership between local programmes, alcohol misuse prevention in the workplace and drink-drive projects will be supported. The creation of a European database open to all potential users will be launched.