EU Health Commissioner warns of alcohol-related accidents

 

European Health Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou said that road accidents related to alcohol are a major cause of concern in Cyprus and in the EU in general.

According to public data, one in four accidents can be linked to drink driving, and at least 10.000 people are killed in alcohol-related road accidents in the EU each year.

He also noted that young people in the EU are particularly at risk, as over 10% of female mortality and around 25% of male mortality in the 18-24 age group is related to hazardous alcohol consumption.

The figures show that each year excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for the death of 195.000 people throughout Europe. About 55 mln adults consume far too much alcohol and excessive consumption is the cause of about 7,4% of health problems and premature deaths in the EU.

Kyprianou said the Commission has adopted a proposal for a European strategy against the dangers caused by excessive consumption of alcohol which was approved unanimously by the Council of Health Ministers in December 2006.

“Now we are passing on to the stage of implementation,” Kyprianou said, adding that the strategy concerns all sectors, including a special chapter on the reduction of injuries and deaths in alcohol-related road accidents.

“We have proposed a reduction in the acceptable level of alcohol in the blood as we believe the lowest the better”, he told CNA.

He called on all member-states to implement the EU strategy, which is not legally binding but it is politically correct for those members that have adopted the strategy.

Asked if it includes austere measures and penalties, Kyprianou said it is up to each country to adopt any such measures.

As of January 1, Meglena Kuneva, is the new Consumer Protection Commissioner who takes up part of the duties of the Cypriot Commissioner who will only maintain the portfolio of Health.