W.H.O. EU Charter.
WHO EU Charter on Alcohol (“Framework for alcohol policy in the WHO European Region,” World Health Organisation, 1995)
Ethical principles and goals
In furtherance of the European Alcohol Action Plan, the Paris Conference calls on all Member States to draw up comprehensive alcohol policies and implement programmes that give expression, as appropriate in their differing cultures and social, legal and economic environments, to the following ethical principles and goals, on the understanding that this document does not confer legal rights.
1. All people have the right to a family, community and working life protected from accidents, violence and other negative consequences of alcohol consumption.
2. All people have the right to valid impartial information and education, starting early in life, on the consequences of alcohol consumption on health, the family and society.
3. All children and adolescents have the right to grow up in an environment protected from the negative consequences of alcohol consumption and, to the extent possible, from the promotion of alcoholic beverages.
4. All people with hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption and members of their families have the right to accessible treatment and care.
5. All people who do not wish to consume alcohol, or who cannot do so for health or other reasons, have the right to be safeguarded from pressures to drink and be supported in their non-drinking behaviour.
Ten strategies for alcohol action
Research and successful examples in countries demonstrate that significant health and economic benefits for the European Region may be achieved if the following ten health promotion strategies for action on alcohol are implemented to give effect to the ethical principles and goals listed above, in accordance with the differing cultures and social, legal and economic environments in each Member State.
1. Inform people of the consequences of alcohol consumption on health, family and society and of the effective measures that can be taken to prevent or minimize harm, building broad educational programmes beginning in early childhood
2. Promote public, private and working environments protected from accidents and violence and other negative consequences of alcohol consumption.
3. Establish and enforce laws that effectively discourage drink–driving.
4. Promote health by controlling the availability, for example for young people, and influencing the price of alcoholic beverages, for instance by taxation.
5. Implement strict controls, recognizing existing limitations or bans in some countries, on direct and indirect advertising of alcoholic beverages and ensure that no form of advertising is specifically addressed to young people, for instance, through the linking of alcohol to sports.
6. Ensure the accessibility of effective treatment and rehabilitation services, with trained personnel, for people with hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption and members of their families.
7. Foster awareness of ethical and legal responsibility among those involved in the marketing or serving of alcoholic beverages, ensure strict control of product safety and implement appropriate measures against illicit production and sale.
8. Enhance the capacity of society to deal with alcohol through the training of professionals in different sectors, such as health, social welfare, education and the judiciary, along with the strengthening of community development and leadership.
9. Support nongovernmental organizations and self-help movements that promote healthy lifestyles, specifically those aiming to prevent or reduce alcohol-related harm.
10. Formulate broad-based programmes in Member States, taking account of the present European Charter on Alcohol; specify clear targets for and indicators of outcome; monitor progress; and ensure periodic updating of programmes based one valuation