Welcome to the European Parliamentary Research Service Podcasts.

Today we'll be talking about the European Commission's plans to cut harmful alcoholic consumption as part of its cancer prevention plan by giving consumers more information about what they're drinking and its effects.

Keep listening.

Did you know they're drinking and its effects. Keep listening.

Did you know that Europeans are the world's heaviest drinkers?

Yep, you heard well. According to the World Health Organizations, people in European countries tend to consume more alcohol compared to other regions in the world, and alcohol

kills. Almost one third of alcohol attributable deaths in Europe are due to cancer, followed by

liver syriasis, cardiovascular diseases and injuries. We've spoken to Richard Price, EU affairs

policy manager at the European Cancer Organization.

Alcohol consumption is a key factor in developing over 60 diseases and conditions,

including seven types of cancer, mouth, upper throat, larynx, esophagus, breast, liver and

colorectal cancer. So if we're serious about trying to reduce cancer incidents,

we have to improve consumer awareness about the alcohol cancer link. That's where alcohol

labelling and health warnings come in. So what can Europe do to help Europeans drink less

and thus reduce health risks?

Margaritis Shkinas, vice president of the European Commission, explains the commission's objective.

The harmful consumption of alcohol, we want to bring it down to 10% by 2025.

The question is how?

By reviewing taxation laws, limiting online advertising and promotion before the end of 2022,

the Commission will propose labelling alcoholic beverages with mandatory indications of their ingredients and nutritional contents,

with health warnings on labels following by 2023.

Let's hear the European Commissioner for Health, Stella Kiriakidis.

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