Doc. 8101

4 May 1998

Development of public health action with a view to reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Evin and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is particularly concerned about the public health situation.

2.       It is worried to note the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol addiction, which are the main cause of premature death, and of the increasing consumption by young people of tobacco and alcohol.

3.       It believes that tobacco and alcohol consumption are within the individual domain, but takes the view, in keeping with the ideas expressed by the WHO, that the authorities should take action to inform the public about the risks involved in the use of these products and, in particular, to protect young people from this kind of consumption.

4.       It in fact takes the view that advertising promoting these products runs counter to the interests of public health, and needs to be both limited and regulated.

5.       It takes the view that rules on consumption should also be laid down, inter alia in order to :

i.       protect young people, for instance by prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors ;

ii.       protect non-smokers, by drawing up regulations on tobacco use in public places.

6.       The Assembly therefore recommends that the Committee of Ministers invite member states to :

i.       run public information and awareness campaigns on the risks involved in tobacco and alcohol consumption ;

ii       implement measures to limit and to regulate all forms of advertising promoting tobacco and alcohol ;

iii.       implement regulations prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors ;

iv.       implement measures to regulate tobacco use in public places.

Signed¹:

Evin, France, SOC

Alis Font, Andorra, NR

Arnau, Spain, SOC

Birraux, France, EPP/CD

Dhaille, France, SOC

Gibula, Poland, SOC

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Mattéi, France, LDR

Maximus, Belgium, SOC

Mitterrand, France, SOC

Nestor, Estonia, SOC

Pozza Tasca, Italy, LDR

Pulgar, Spain, EPP/CD

Sincai, Romania, SOC

Vermot-Mangold, Switzerland, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group