Dear Mr Taavii Rõivas,
Prime Minister of Estonia,
Support for the protection of legislation banning alcohol sales in petrol stations coming to effect in 2016
I am writing to you on behalf of the European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare), which is an alliance of 60 public health organisations (mainly non-governmental organisations) from 25 European countries dedicated to the prevention and reduction of alcohol related harm.
Firstly we would like to thank you and your colleagues for the support you have given to the European Alcohol Policy Alliance. Especially we would like to thank for the very interesting presentation given by Health Attache Tairi Täht in the European Parliament this Tuesday during the Alcohol Awareness Week.
Eurocare would like to congratulate Estonia for taking the lead and taking the health of its citizens seriously. The alcohol policy plans that Estonia is now proposing are strongly based on different international agreements that also Estonia as a Member State has signed. Reducing youth drinking and alcohol-related road accidents were both among the priority themes of the EU Alcohol Strategy and in line with UN’s sustainable development goals. WHO’s Global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol lists both availability of alcohol and marketing of alcoholic beverages as important action areas. European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020 recommends member states “to reduce exposure to alcohol marketing, and in particular to protect children and youth from alcohol marketing of all kinds”.
Especially now when the European Commission has decided not to renew its alcohol strategy, it is important that Member States fulfil their obligation to tackle alcohol related problems. Eurocare commends the Estonian government for these efforts and urges to adopt these proposed plans.
As alcohol policy often contradicts with the interests of different industries and businesses it is important to state that for any country or government, the well-being and health of people should always have the priority. Promoting health and building capacity supports the aims of the EU 2020 for reinvigorating the EU in the next years and the "EU 2020" targets for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Actions on alcohol as a risk factor will address chronic disease, ill health and premature death as well as reduce inequalities. Implementing cost effective alcohol policies is not only important in regard to improving the health and well- being of individuals and society at large, it creates future savings for health systems.
Kind regards,
Tiziana Codenotti, President of Eurocare
Mariann Skar, Secretary General
