European citizens have the right to know how alcohol affects their health

Members of Parliament represent citizens, not the commercial interests of the Alcohol Industry.
European citizens have the right to know how alcohol risks their health.

On Tuesday, February 15th, Members of Parliament (MEP) are voting on a parliamentary report on cancer. As seen in the newly proposed amendments, a worrying number of MEPs are more concerned with the industry’s interests than the concerns of their own people. By proposing new amendments that water-down alcohol-related prevention measures against cancer, MEPs are undermining the scientific advice, including from the WHO, as well as ignoring the wishes of their constituencies.

Alcohol has been classified for decades as a Group 1 carcinogen (highest classification of causality of cancer) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Further, evidence indicates that in terms of cancer prevention there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. For this reason, labeling of alcoholic beverages should include clear and visible health warnings, alongside a full nutrition declaration and a list of ingredients on the bottle. Misleading messages such as ‘moderate and responsible drinking’ can no longer be tolerated. The use of such language prevents consumers from understanding the inherent risk from alcohol use, and denies consumers the right to make informed choices which protects their health and that of society at large.

Do the MEPs who support the proposed amendments believe that consumers should be denied this health information?

If MEPs care about the rights and health of their people, they should vote against the proposed amendments and adopt the current report without further changes.

Co-signatories:
European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare)
IOGT-NTO Sweden
Alcohol Action Ireland
European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS)
Lithuanian Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition (NTAKK)
Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control

Read the joint letter written by Eurocare on safeguarding the BECA report without further changes during the plenary vote on Wednesday the 16th.