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– There is no clear distinction between the use and harmful use of alcohol, and we have a responsibility to pass it on. Therefore, we will propose to introduce requirements for warning labeling on alcoholic beverages in Norway, says Health Minister Bent Høie (H).
On Thursday the national alcohol strategy for the period 2021 to 2025 was presented.
Here, the government follows up on the Storting’s decision of November 2018, where there was a majority in favor of the Labor Party, the Socialist People’s Party and KrF’s proposal to introduce the labeling of alcoholic beverages with health warnings on alcohol consumption. during pregnancy and in connection with driving.
Conservatives, Greens, and Liberals voted against the proposal at the time.
Depending on the EEA
– The government believes that warning labeling of alcoholic beverages could increase public awareness of the risks of alcohol consumption, says Høie.
The strategy emphasizes that the introduction of a label depends on the legal requirements of the EEA. At the same time, there is also a debate in the EU about the introduction of mandatory labeling. If there are common rules in the EEA system, you will avoid problems with special Norwegian requirements that deviate from EEA law.
GPs can play a key role
The strategy also calls for an intensified early response to harmful alcohol use. About five percent of the adult population abuses or is addicted to alcohol.
– I am concerned that the alcohol policy should address those who struggle with alcohol consumption and therefore it is necessary that people who are developing alcohol problems are caught and receive help at an early stage, says the Minister of Agriculture and Food Olaug. Bollestad (KrF).
– We want to make it easier for GPs to contribute more to detecting and preventing the harmful use of alcohol, says Bollestad.
At the GP, this can be done, among other things, by taking blood samples from the patient, which may reveal high alcohol consumption. In addition, several other measures are proposed to increase competition in the health care system on alcohol problems.
The government will also promote alcohol-free spaces in collaboration with volunteerism, sports, school and social partners, strengthen knowledge and competence about alcohol, and prioritize research on alcohol use.
To reduce the harmful consumption of alcohol.
Norway has committed to following the World Health Organization’s global goal of reducing harmful alcohol use by 10 percent by 2025 compared to 2010.
The government believes that the best strategy to reduce the harmful consumption of alcohol will be to reduce the total consumption in the population.
In 2019, 6.05 liters of pure alcohol were sold per inhabitant in Norway. This is an 8.2 percent decrease from 2010.
No major changes
In total, however, there will be no major changes to the alcohol policy. In the new strategy, the government plans to continue with the main lines.
– The licensing system, the ban on advertising, alcohol taxes, the monopoly regime for alcoholic beverages and age limits are effective and population-oriented measures that have contributed to Norway’s drinking relatively low in a European context, says Høie.
