By Martin Banks - 18th March 2011
Health information would make a difference
Nick Sheron
A UK health expert has called for mandatory health warning information on alcohol drinks.
Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Nick Sheron, however, cautioned against the "nasty, horrible" images on tobacco packaging.
"We do not need to go that far. There should be a middle ground," said Sheron, of the Royal College of Physicians.
He was a keynote speaker at a half day hearing, jointly organised by the European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare).
The debate comes in the wake of the UK government's announcement last week that health messages will, in future, be attached to 80 per cent of alcohol beverages.
Parliament is currently debating the commission's proposal on the "provision of food information to consumers."
Unlike soft drinks and juices, beer, wine and spirits have been exempted from the obligation to list ingredients and provide nutritional information.
According to a recent Eurobarometer poll, 77 per cent of Europeans support having health warning messages on alcoholic beverages.
Sheron told the hearing that Europe could take a lead from the United States where health labelling has been commonplace for over 30 years.
He said, "Health information would make a difference by making people more aware of the dangers associated with alcohol misuse.
"Such information would help change attitudes towards what is, after all, a toxic poison."
His comments were echoed by Mariann Skar, secretary general of Eurocare, who called on the EU to "place the protection of European citizens' health above the economic interests of the alcohol industry."
Skar pointed out that alcohol is responsible for 7.4 per cent of all ill health and premature death in the EU.
Alcohol is also a "major" contributory factor in accidents with one in three of all road traffic deaths caused by alcohol, she said.
"Warning labels can increase knowledge and encourage a change in perception of the risks associated with alcohol consumption," said Skar.
"Studies show that warning labels are noticed by most drinkers, particularly the young and high risk drinkers.
"Labelling is a means to deliver a clear message to the consumer."
Another keynote speaker, Michael Huebel, of the commission's health directorate, agreed that labelling has a role to play in tackling alcohol-related harm.
Huebel, a head of unit, said efforts to raise awareness of the issue was a "key priority" for the commission, adding, "We already have regulations covering alcoholic drinks but labelling is one of a mix of measures that should be considered."
