EU to get tough on UK binge drinking problem

11.25.45am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Sep 2007

Less than a week after the publication of a report showing a worrying increase in binge drinking in the South West, the European Parliament yesterday adopted an initiative aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in Member States. For local MEP Graham Watson, the UK - with one of the worst phenomena of binge drinking - could benefit from EU help.

Commenting from Strasbourg, Graham Watson said:

"Hospitals across the South West are seeing hundreds of admissions - from head injuries, to broken bones and stomach pumping - as a direct result of binge drinking. This is increasingly worrying, especially when we see children as young as 12 being hospitalised for alcohol-related injuries. While the UK government has pledged to cut teen drinking, this country is still one of the worst offenders in Europe. So let's learn from our EU partners and work together on bringing binge-drinking down in this country."

The report adopted by the European Parliament yesterday raises issues including the proper labellings and warnings on alcoholic products; how to reduce accidents caused by drink-driving; and how to tackle the binge-drinking culture. It calls on EU Member States to pay particular attention to vulnerable social groups, most especially young people and pregnant women, and to address the problems of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption by young people, workers and drivers through increased awareness and by a review of existing national laws.

"Let's learn from our EU partners and work together on bringing binge-drinking down in this country", says Graham Watson MEP

Last week a national survey revealed that teens in the UK are drinking more than ever. The poll showed that 8,200 11 to 15-year-olds drink every week and that their average weekly consumption is 11.4 units, up from 10.4 units in 2000.