WRITTEN QUESTION E-0874/03

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 March 2003)

Subject: Averting alcohol-related harm in the EU

In the Union successful attempts have been made over a long period to reduce the harm done to public health by smoking, among other things by intervening in the tobacco market and warning in a conspicuous fashion on product packaging of the health risks associated with tobacco. Given that alcohol is a product posing health risks comparable to those entailed in smoking, it is reasonable to suppose that, following the example of the Europe-wide measures implemented to deal with tobacco, similar action might next be brought to bear to avert alcohol-related harm.

Will the Commission take the measures needed to avert alcohol-related harm, bearing in mind the encouraging experiences resulting from the tobacco directives?

Will it set standard EU rates for excise duties on alcohol and other charges levied nationally at a level reflecting the external costs of alcohol (and hence not the minimum level)?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2003)

The action of the Community regarding prevention of alcohol-related harm is included in the Community public health programme (2003-2008)(1) which refers to promotion of health and prevention of disease through action on health determinants across all Community activities and policies by preparing and implementing strategies and measures, including those relating to public awareness on life-style related health determinants such as alcohol .

In the recently-published work plan 2003(2), a report on the economic and social burden of alcohol, including issues of promotion of alcohol, protection of young people and children is provided for in the health information and knowledge strand. A pre-information tender notice has been issued in this connection.

In the strand of the plan dealing with health determinants it is envisaged to Establish a network of expert organisations to support the implementation of the Council Recommendation on the drinking of alcohol by young people and to contribute to further development of a Community strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm; Initiate preparation of a conference on alcohol, health and society to be held in 2005; Promote the involvement of young people in the development of alcohol policies and activities a priority of the Council Recommendation on alcohol and young people.

A call for proposals(3) has recently been published in this respect.

It may also be mentioned that the Alcohol ad-hoc Working Party of the Commission, which has a membership with representatives of all Member States, holds its next meeting on 11/12 June 2003.

Council Directive 92/84/EEC of 19 October 1992 deals with the approximation of rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages(4). Under its provisions it is necessary for the excise duty rates laid down in that Directive to be reviewed periodically by Council. This review shall be based upon a Commission report. The Commission is preparing such a report at present, which will take into account all relevant issues, in particular the proper functioning of the internal market, competition between the different categories of alcoholic drinks, the real value of the rates of duty and the wider objectives of the EC Treaty, as provided by Article 8 of the said Directive. These considerations will also include the public health considerations mentioned by the Honourable Member.

(1) Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of Community action in the field of Public Health (2003-2008), OJ L 271, 9.10.2002.

(2) http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/documents/WP2003/WP_2003_en.pdf.

(3) http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_programme/documents/Call_2003/call_2003_en.pdf.

(4) OJ L 316, 31.10.1992.