Have your say: WHO holds public consultation to reduce alcohol consumption

Countries of the WHO European Region need an effective policy framework to reduce alcohol consumption levels and the associated health harms. WHO is hosting 3 consultations on the draft of the “Framework to strengthen implementation of the WHO European Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol (EAPA), 2022–2025”. These consultations are with civil society, Member States and members of the public.

In accordance with the regional plan for implementation of the programme budget for 2022–2023 (EUR/RC71/12) and as requested by Member States, WHO/Europe has now produced a draft Implementation framework to reduce alcohol consumption in the WHO European Region,2022-2025, to be submitted to the WHO Regional Committee for Europe at its 72nd session in September 2022. A consultation survey on the draft Framework is now open.

Members of the public are invited to submit their comments on the draft via an online survey between 15 March and 25 March 2022. A link to the survey is available below.

The public consultation aims to collect feedback on the draft framework that reflects regional needs and priorities. If you have experienced harm due to alcohol, are part of an affected family or community, work on these issues, or have experience inside or outside the health sector, we especially want to hear from you.

The European Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol 2012–2020 (EAPA) (resolution EUR/RC61/R4) was adopted in 2012. Since then, although 32 countries have changed or adopted a national alcohol policy or strategy, the most high-impact and cost-effective policies are implemented at a level that leaves much space for improvement. Such policies include 3 of WHO’s “best buys”: raising the price of alcohol through excise and other duties, restricting availability, and restricting or banning alcohol marketing.

The draft Framework articulates an action-oriented approach, harnessing the momentum built through the WHO-led SAFER initiative and WHO’s engagement with several stakeholders, including non-State actors, and building on partnerships in other regions. The framework strikes a balance between recognizing the importance of a comprehensive and effective public health approach and driving forward key actions to improve implementation.

The draft framework aims to accelerate action in 6 focus areas:

After the consultation, the final draft will be submitted to the WHO Regional Committee for Europe at its 72nd session in September 2022. The implementation framework will support the WHO European Programme of Work 2020–2025 – “United Action for Better Health in Europe”.

We will be accepting submissions in English and Russian.

For the sake of clarity, the content of this article was amended on 17 March 2022.