The European Parliaments committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety has supported a resolution calling for a new EU strategy to tackle health harm from alcohol to be put into action for 2016-2022. The resolution also emphasises the importance of better labelling of alcoholic drinks including ingredients and nutritional information.

A coalition of public health organisations working on alcohol policy welcomes the committees position as moderate steps towards reducing harm from alcohol.

Glenis Willmott MEP, a sponsor of the resolution, notes, "Many people have no idea just how many calories are in alcoholic drinks, unless they are determined enough to search on the companys website. This is unacceptable and the vote today paved the way to recognise the need of consumers to take informed decisions when it comes to alcohol consumption."

The resolution will now be tabled for approval by the full European Parliament Plenary.

"All MEPs should now support this call for new action on alcohol, what should be considered as an investment in health to ensure a stable, robust, long-term economic growth," says Mariann Skar, secretary general of Eurocare.