News and Press

World health ministers endorse global strategy to tackle harmful alcohol use

20 May 2010

A global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol was adopted unanimously today at the annual assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. Acknowledging the rise in alcohol-related harm worldwide and its detrimental impact on individuals, families and communities, world health leaders representing WHO’s 193 member states agree to wide-ranging interventions to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.

Effective interventions included in the global strategy include higher taxes and minimum unit prices for alcoholic drinks and tighter restrictions on alcohol marketing.

For more information on the process of developing a global alcohol strategy go to WHO/alcohol.