Världshälsorganisationen antar en global strategi mot
alkoholskador.
Efter många års processer beslutade äntligen WHO om en
gemensam strategi mot alkoholskador. Det ger det förebyggande,
lagstiftande och rehabiliterande arbetet över hela världen en
minsta gemensamma nämnare. Tyvärr finns den inte översatt till
svenska ännu men nedan följer en sammanfattning på engelska av den
europeiska organisation Eurocare där SLAN är
medlem.
Eurocare welcomes the adoption of Global Alcohol
Strategy by the WHO
Geneva, 20 June 2010. At its sixty-third World Health
Assembly, the 193 Member States of the World Health Organization
have adopted, in a consensus vote, the eagerly awaited Global
Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.
In the two-hour long debate at the Assembly, all
member states acknowledged the harmful use of alcohol as a major
public health issue. In the many member state interventions,
delegates pointed to the global aspects of the problem and
requested that alcohol problems receive a higher priority at the
WHO and that more resources be allocated to address those problems
and to implement the new global strategy.
The important concerns identified in the debate
included the increasing culture of binge drinking among young
people worldwide, and the expanding influence of the alcohol
marketing and advertising. Delegates welcomed the varied
evidence-based measures included in the strategy and their
potential for successfully addressing alcohol problems.
The resolution was adopted with one amendment proposed
by Thailand on behalf of the SEARO countries asking for adequate
financial and human resources for implementation (inserted in par.
4 (1)).
The WHO estimates that in 2004, 2.5 million people
worldwide died of alcohol-related causes (mainly heart and liver
disease, road accidents, suicides and various cancers),
representing 3.8 % of all deaths and 4,6% of the global burden of
disease.
The harmful use of alcohol has a serious effect on
public health and is considered to be one of the main risk factors
for poor health globally, the strategy document says.
The resolution calls on the member states of the WHO
to take public policy measures to reduce the harmful consumption of
alcohol. It highlights the effectiveness of focusing on policies
regarding pricing, availability and marketing of
alcohol.
However the recommendations in the Strategy are not binding, they
are meant to serve as guidance to WHO's Member States.
Mariann Skar, Secretary General of Eurocare stated “We
warmly welcome the decision by the WHA to adopt a global strategy
on alcohol. This is a key starting point in addressing the global
threat to public health and social wellbeing represented by the
harmful use of alcohol” and she added “Europe has a strong position
and responsibility, being the world's leader on alcohol consumption
and an important exporter of alcoholic beverages". She regretted
that "we are exporting our drinking practices and norms to
countries that lack the capability and capacity to meet the
additional public health burden that results from them”.
The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) has as well
welcomed the decision by the World Health Assembly, it’s chairman,
Derek Rutherford said: "Concerted action to reduce global alcohol
problems is long overdue. Today's decision by the World Health
Assembly is an important first step to address them. The strategy
goes a long way in recognizing the transnational aspects of the
alcohol issue. GAPA appreciates the wide range of supportive
statements by WHO member states from both developed and developing
countries in the discussion."
Notes to the editors:
1.-
Draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of
alcohol
(lank finns på WHOs
hemsida
2. EUROCARE (The European Alcohol Policy Alliance)is
an alliance of around 50 public health organisations from 22
European countries dedicated to the prevention and reduction of
alcohol related harm.
Member organisations are involved in advocacy and
research, as well as in the provision of information and training
on alcohol issues, and the provision of services for people whose
lives are affected by alcohol related problems.
http://www.eurocare.org
3. Media contacts:
Eurocare Secretariat Tel: + 32 2 233 3874 ,
info@eurocare.org
