Status Report on Alcohol Consumption, Harm and Policy Responses in 30 European Countries 2019

Alcohol remains one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances in Europe. Despite being a major risk factor for burden of disease, with substantial impacts not only on individual drinkers but also on the broader society, alcohol consumption in Europe continues to be almost double the global average.

In 2011, the WHO European Region adopted the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020 (EAPA).

This report provides a snapshot of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harm and alcohol policy responses in 30 European countries – European Union Member States, Norway and Switzerland (EU+).

Overall the report highlights some improvements in terms of alcohol-related death rates between 2010 and 2016. However, it is evident from the publication that harmful alcohol consumption remains a challenge to public health in Europe.

Parts 1 and 2 of the report provide information on alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable burden of disease and injury and part 3 of the report examines alcohol policy.