WHO WILL ISSUE GLOBAL ALCOHOL STRATEGY

A global strategy for reducing the harm associated with alcohol use will be issued in the next two years by the World Health Organisation. 

WHO's executive board announced that the strategy will tackle a broad range of alcohol-related problems, from liver problems and sexually transmitted diseases to auto crashes.

Prevention recommendations will be issued for "all at-risk populations such as young people and those affected by the harmful drinking of others," according to WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib.

The WHO's member states will have to approve the plan before work can proceed, but approval is expected. The strategy could be similar to the World Health Organisation's efforts on tobacco smoking – this resulted in an international tobacco treaty in 2003 which limited advertising and called for stronger warnings on cigarette packs.

The WHO board blamed 2.3 million premature deaths annually on alcohol.

Related information: Alcohol and Injury in Emergency Departments

Related information from Join Together.