Press

Harmful drinking across Europe declines; Leading drinks companies call for more partnerships to accelerate reductions

New statistics produced by one of the world’s leading studies assessing the burden of disease (Global Burden of Disease) and the World Health Organization show that alcohol-related harms are decreasing across Europe, with International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) members* continuing action to accelerate progress in support of the UN’s goals to tackle the harmful use of alcohol and the World Health Organization’s Global Alcohol Action Plan.

The latest statistics show that in Europe between 2010 and 2021 there was a:

• 32% decrease in total attributable mortality from high alcohol use [1]
• 38% reduction in attributable morbidity for individuals under 20 years of age [1]
• 39% decrease in attributable morbidity from road injuries [1]
• 7% reduction in high alcohol use [1]
• 10% decrease in alcohol per capita consumption in Europe from 2010-2020 (WHO preliminary data for 2020) [2]

While this data highlights the positive direction in which the European region is moving, IARD and its members are calling for a collaborative effort across industry, government, and communities to accelerate these reductions and promote a culture of moderation and responsibility among those adults who choose to drink.

The active initiatives and measures undertaken by IARD members* to reduce harmful drinking and raise standards across the globe include:

• Offering resources to support responsible sale and service of alcohol
• Setting global standards for influencer marketing of alcohol
• Raising standards in alcohol e-commerce to prevent sale to those underage and drinking harmfully
• Improving consumer information on labels
• Preventing underage exposure to online advertising
• Driving actions to accelerate reductions in underage drinking

Commenting on the findings and IARD’s initiatives, Julian Braithwaite, CEO and President of IARD said:
“While there is much more to be done, this is encouraging progress and shows that the UN’s approach to tackling the harmful use of alcohol can make a real difference when government, civil society, and private sector work together as part of a whole of society approach.
“IARD and its members remain committed to tackling the harmful use of alcohol and supporting the UN’s goals. We look forward to playing our part in the UN’s efforts to accelerate progress at the High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases next year.” 

ENDS

Contact:
For more information, please contact: Puja Darbari – pdarbari@iard.org or iard@mhpgroup.com

Notes to Editors
About IARD:
The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. We are supported by the leading global beer, wine, and spirits producers, who have come together for a common purpose: to be part of the solution in combating harmful drinking. To advance this shared mission, IARD works and partners with public sector, civil society, and private stakeholders. www.iard.org
*IARD’s members are AB InBev, Asahi, Bacardi, Brown-Forman, Carlsberg, Diageo, Heineken, Kirin, Moët Hennessy, Molson Coors Beverage Company, Pernod Ricard, Suntory Global Spirits, and William Grant & Sons. Associate members: The Coca-Cola Company and LOTTE Chilsung Beverage.