It can be done Vesna-Kerstin Petric

4th European Alcohol Policy Conference

It can be doneVesna-Kerstin Petric

A Call for Action!

From capacity to action!

Action!

Action!

Action!


1st European alcohol policy conference Bridging the Gap

Warsaw, 16 to 19 June 2004

to create a vibrant alcohol policy network of links and possibilities of cooperation between the worlds of politics, science and practice within the region

to further the development of an integrated Community strategy to reduce alcohol related-harm in the context of a larger Europe as embodied in the Council's conclusions of 5 June 2001, and

to support European countries to implement the Council Recommendation on the drinking of alcohol by young people.


Was there no action?

Since the first conference held in Warsaw in 2004, much has happened with regard to alcohol policy:

• Eurocare and its profile have increased and new members have joined.

• The European Alcohol Policy Network has consolidated and delivered much work.

• The Alcohol in Europe report has been published, • European Commission co-financed several new projects

on alcohol and started the process of adopting EU alcohol strategy


2nd Alcohol Policy ConferenceBridging the Gap

Helsinki, 20-22 November 2006

• to creat evidence

• to bridge the gap between scientists, policy makers and programme implementers

• to present new and pragmatic ways of tackling problems


Action!?

• Comission communication on alcohol• Alcohol and health Forum• FP7 Research Call• BCP project, PHEPA project on brief

interventions in primary care, the ELSA project on monitoring and reviewing the marketing of alcohol products, the "Pathways for Health" project review and many, many more…….


3rd Alcohol Policy ConferenceBuilding Capacity for action

Barcelona, 3–5 April 2008

to rise the profile of alcohol policy in political environment

to build capacity on alcohol policies and programmes at European, country, regional and municipal levels

to support the objectives of the Commission’s Communication on alcohol

to profile ongoing European Commission co-financed projects in the field of alcohol.


Action?!

• Alcohol policy high on the agenda of Slovene presidency to EU Council in 2008: Reporting to EU Council

• Alcohol policy high on the agenda of Swedish presidency to EU Council in 2009: EU Council conclussions

• Political support of APN partners to WHO Globel strategy: WHO Global Strategy

• Conclussions of the conference• New projects, new MUCH BIGGER resources:

AMPHORA, …• New evidence, new publications• Stronger partnership



“From Capacity to Action” Brussels, 21 to 22 June 2010

• to stimulate action in alcohol policy! • to analyse why Europe has not got to grips with

alcohol and the consequences this is having in third countries

• to promote and disseminate knowledge about current thinking on alcohol and alcohol policy matters;

• to build capacity and to promote networking and coalition building between and within the European countries.


A call for action??

What are we worried about?

Lack of action or

Evidence not being usedStrategies not being implementedAction not being coordinated Action not being properly promotedGoals a moving targetLack of effect


Cost effectiveness of different policy options, EuropeCost effectiveness of different policy options, Europe

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1,800

0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000

Effect (DALYs averted per year)

Cos

t (I

$m p

er y

ear)

A. Brief physician advice

B. Random Breath Testing

C1. Taxation (current)

C2. Taxation (current + 25%)

C3. Taxation (current + 50%)

D. Restricted access (sales)

E. Advertising ban

F1. Brief advice + RBT

F2. Tax (highest) + Ad Ban

F4. Brief advice + Tax (highest)

F5. Tax (highest) + Ad Ban + Restrict access

F8. Brief advice + Tax (highest) + Ad Ban + Restrict Access

F11. Brief advice + Tax (highest) + Ad Ban + RBT + Restrictaccess

A

D-E

C1-C3

F2

F5B

F11

F8

F4F1

Source: Chisholm et al 2004


ACTION PLAN• Who is going to do what in which time frame and for

which resources to achieve the goal?

• What is the context of action – opportunities, barriers /international/national/local?

• How am I going to promote the goal and the action to public/politicians?

• Who are potential partners?

• How am I going to prove the effects?


Do we want a ban on alcohol marketing – a new EU Marketing

Directive ?Why not!?• Promote existing evidence and aim for additional

evidence• Built a case and consensus, make it a priority!• Get decision makers on board• Mobilize society• Propose/request• Endure


It can be done!

We are already strong enough:• We are a growing society• We have evidence enough• We have tools• We have goals and strategies• We have assured continuity through the APN and

biennial conferences• We have learned to share resources but also results• We are good people with many potentials aiming for a

better future for all


It can be done!

We could get even stronger by:• Building coalitions in all our countries• Better translate research to practice• Promote what we do – (web page, …)• Invest in old/new partners (media, doctors, teachers,

police)• Carefully monitor and evaluate our own action and those

of others• Prioritizing - focusing• Using opportunities outside alcohol policy frame (health

and development, HIA, inequalities, creating life style…)• Getting young people on board ………

4th European Alcohol Policy ConferenceSlovenia : USA 2:2

IT CAN BE DONE!!!

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It can be done Vesna-Kerstin Petric