This document summarizes alcohol policy developments in Europe following the adoption of key documents at the EU and WHO regional level. It provides data on written national alcohol policies, implementation plans, policy changes from 2006-2011, awareness raising activities, minimum age limits for alcohol sales, maximum legal blood alcohol concentration levels for drivers, retail spirit prices, and comments on remaining areas for focus. The director of the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs thanks the audience.

1. Socialdepartementet
The policy development in Europe
after the adoption of the key
documents at EU and WHO Euro level.
Maria Renström
Director
Ministry of Health and Social Affair
(maria.renstrom@gov.se)

2. Socialdepartementet
Written national policy on alcohol in
the EU MS and Candidate countries.
• EU MS: written policy in 23 countries (including Sub-
national) ;
( 4 adopted by Parliament, 14 by Government, 5 by others)
• EU MS; 7 without written policy
• EU Candidate countries; written policy in 3
countries adopted by Government
• EU Candidate countries; 2 without written
policy

3. Socialdepartementet
Implementation plan
• EU MS; 16 with national action plan for
implementation
• EU Candidate countries; 1 with national
action plan for implementation

4. Socialdepartementet
Changes in alcohol policy areas over the five
years 2006 - 2011 (N=30)

5. Socialdepartementet
Number of countries carrying out national
awareness-raising activities during 2009-2011
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Illegal alcohol
Indigenous people
Social harm
Alcohol at work
Alcohol and pregnancy
Alcohol and health
Youth
Drink–driving
Number of countries

6. Socialdepartementet
Minimum age limits for on-premise sale of beer,
wine and spirits, by number of countries (n=30)
0
5
10
15
20
25
16 years 17 years 18 years 20 years
Numberofcountries
Beer
Wine
Spirits

7. Socialdepartementet
Minimum age limits for off-premise sale of beer,
wine and spirits, by number of countries (n=30)
0
5
10
15
20
25
16 years 17 years 18 years 20 years
Numberofcountries
Beer
Wine
Spirits

8. Socialdepartementet
Maximum legal BAC level for category of
driver, by number of countries (n=30)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5ᵃ 0.8
Numberofcountries
BAC (g/litre)
General Population Novice Drivers Commercial Drivers

9. Socialdepartementet
Retail price in EURO for 70 cl spirit

10. Socialdepartementet
Comments
• A positive development
• Still focus on awareness raising,
young people and drink driving
• Less on restrictions (statutory) on
marketing/advertising
• Compliance it the key

11. Socialdepartementet
Thank you!