The WHO European region has the highest alcohol consumption rates globally, causing nearly one million deaths annually and contributing to the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Alcohol is also responsible for significant societal and economic impacts, including one in four deaths among 20–24-year-olds and productivity losses.

ECDA’s new policy paper calls for urgent EU action, including:

• Mandatory front-of-pack nutrition and energy labeling for alcoholic beverages
• Clear health warnings on alcohol labels
• Stronger EU coordination to reduce harmful alcohol consumption by 10% by 2025, aligning with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan
• Adoption of a new, comprehensive, EU alcohol strategy urgently and driven by health priorities

Comprehensive, evidence-based policies are essential to address the health and economic toll of alcohol across Europe.

Read the full paper here