By Martin Banks - 2nd February 2010
This is a problem that is 100 per cent solvable
Rudi Kohl
A parliamentary conference was told there are "no safe levels" for alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
The gathering on Tuesday heard that drinking alcohol during pregnancy had become a "serious social problem".
Rudi Kohl, of the FAS Policlinic in The Netherlands, said, "The difference here, though, is that this is a problem that is 100 per cent solvable."
"The message I want to get across today is that women should avoid alcohol if they are trying to conceive and do not drink during pregnancy," he added.
His comments, at a debate on the "social cost of alcohol", were echoed by Swedish Socialist deputy Anna Hedh, who said she feared the message was not getting across to many women.
"A lot of women still seem unaware of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and we need to convey the message that the two do not work," said Hedh, who co-hosted the event.
Data presented at the debate showed there are 2500 alcohol-related deaths in Denmark each year, 6700 in Canada, 3270 in Australia and as many as 100,000 in the United States.
Alcohol, it was said, is a contributory factor in one in 10 deaths in Europe and responsible for 7.4 per cent of all ill-health in the EU.
This makes it the third leading risk factor after high blood pressure and tobacco.
The EU is the heaviest drinking region in the world with 11 litres of pure alcohol drunk per adult each year – over 2.5 times higher than the rest of the world average.
Cliona Murphy, of Eurocare (European Alcohol Policy Alliance) said such figures show the potential danger of alcohol and the importance of measures to curb its misuse.
Eurocare wants the EU to include beer, wine and spirits in the "provision of food information to consumers" proposal currently going through parliament.
It also demands health warning messages on alcoholic beverages.
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