The relationship between alcohol and health remains a key topic in international policy discussions.
Following the UN General Assembly in New York on September 25th, debates over alcohol consumption and its societal impact have intensified, particularly within the European Union, where tax reform on alcoholic beverages may soon return to the political agenda.
Since 1992, the EU’s alcohol tax rates have remained unchanged, with wine currently exempt from excise duty, unlike beer or spirits. According to Euractiv, the European Commission is once again considering the possibility of revising these rates, though officials emphasize that the process is expected to be complex and lengthy. Nevertheless, international pressure is mounting to push for stronger fiscal policies addressing alcohol-related harm.
Global Health Organizations Call for Action
At the forefront of this push is the World Health Organization (WHO), which continues to frame alcohol taxation as a public health priority. Under its “3 by 35” initiative, the WHO aims to raise the prices of alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks by at least 50% by 2035, through targeted tax increases adapted to each country’s economic and social context. The objective aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically those aimed at reducing preventable diseases and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Further reinforcing this agenda, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)—in collaboration with WHO/Europe—has published Volume 20 of the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, representing the organization’s first in-depth evaluation of alcohol-related cancer prevention strategies.
The findings are unambiguous: raising alcohol taxes, restricting availability, and imposing marketing bans are among the most effective policy measures for reducing population-level alcohol consumption and, consequently, alcohol-related cancers. The IARC stresses that these conclusions were developed by an independent working group of international experts “through a rigorous and transparent process, free from conflicts of interest,” with the intention of providing governments with scientifically grounded policy frameworks.
Health and Economic Impact in Europe
According to Gundo Weiler, Director for Prevention and Health Promotion at WHO/Europe, “the WHO European region, and especially EU countries, are paying too high a price for alcohol, which contributes to preventable cancers and broken families, as well as costing taxpayers billions.”
He highlighted that in 2020 alone, alcohol was responsible for over 93,000 cancer deaths in Europe. “Some call it a ‘cultural heritage,’ but disease, death, and disability should not be normalized as part of European culture,” Weiler added, challenging the traditional view of alcohol as a benign component of European identity.
Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of IARC, described the new report as “a historic milestone.” The two-part Volume 20 establishes beyond doubt that population-level alcohol policies directly reduce consumption and, as a result, lower cancer risk. The report’s Part B identifies several effective interventions, including:
- Increased taxation or minimum pricing,
- Higher legal purchase age,
- Reduced density of alcohol outlets, and
- Limitations on sales days and hours.
These measures, while potentially controversial, are presented as evidence-based instruments capable of delivering measurable health benefits.
Policy Challenges Ahead
For the European Union, introducing or adjusting alcohol taxes would represent a major policy shift, particularly in the case of wine, which has traditionally been exempt in recognition of its cultural and economic importance in many member states. Any change would therefore require broad consensus among EU governments, balancing public health objectives with the interests of wine-producing regions and national fiscal strategies.
While there is no immediate indication of legislative action, the discussion signals a gradual convergence between global health advocacy and European policy considerations. The renewed dialogue also underscores a growing awareness that alcohol-related harm extends beyond individual responsibility, encompassing economic costs and societal burdens.
As the European Commission weighs potential reforms, it faces the dual challenge of honoring cultural heritage while responding to public health imperatives. The outcome of this debate could mark a pivotal moment for the EU’s approach to alcohol regulation—one that may redefine its fiscal and health policy landscape for decades to come.
Source: WineNews