1. Making informed decisions- the value of labels Eurocare’s view and recommendation on labeling
MEPs Against Cancer
7 December 2010

2. Eurocare- We care about Europe
Where alcohol related harm is NO longer one of the leading risk factors for ill-health and pre- mature death
Therefore, we view labelling as ONE of the key elements to achieve this

3. Background for labelling initiative
EU Alcohol Strategy informing educating and raising awareness is identified as a priority for action
Information at point of sale or on products as an example
Strategy involves exploring in cooperation with MS and stakeholders the usefulness of a common approach in the EU to provide information.

4. French pictogram – since October 2007
All alcoholic packages require pictogram or:
”Consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy even in small amounts can seriously damage the child’s health”

5. Health and Safety warning messages worldwide
23 countries (mandatory and voluntary)
North America: United States, Mexico
South& Central America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cost Rica, Ecuador, el Salvador, Guatemala
Asia: China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand
Europe: France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom
Africa: South Africa

6. NONE of them mentions cancer specifically

8. Thailand- setting a precedent?
Warnings in form of picture printed in 4 colours and 6 types which must be rotated at 1,000 package intervals
No less than 30% of the total surface area of the package

9. Proposed pictures- Thailand

10. Pictorial warnings proposed by campaigners in Australia

11. Health warnings on alcohol beverages should:
Have a standard format and design – irrespective of the brand
Placed in a standard location on the container
Be parallel to the base of the container, in a box
Appear on a contrasting background (black on white)
Label size as a minimum percentage of the package size
Rotating with sufficient frequency

12. Determined by the European Institutions/Ministers of Health
NON – Promotional, no branding
Images need to be informational in style
UNDERSTANDABLE, Factual
Separate from other information of the label
Educate and inform rather than authoritarian and prescriptive of behaviour

13. Voluntary scheme- the UK example
Campden Chorleywood Food Research Association (2008) report
85% of alcoholic drinks are not labelled
Recommended text only in 2.4%
On average only 1.2% of the total printed area

18. Eurocare’s view
Alcohol is linked to cancer – specifically, it can cause cancer of the pharynx, larynx, breast, colon, rectum and liver
There is little public awareness about this link. Eurobarometer survey (2010): 1 in 5 people do not believe there is any link between cancer and alcohol
However, there is strong public support 79% for health warnings on the known risks (pregnancy and drink driving)
Consumers have the right to be informed of the risks connected with alcohol consumption. Mandatory health warning labels can achieve this objective. :

19. Start informing
Stop misinforming

20. Thank you for your attention