Global Alcohol Policy Symposium was held on 26-27 April 2013 in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey. The symposium was organized by the Turkish Green Crescent Society and the World Health Organization (WHO) with the aim of raising awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption for individuals and the society. The symposium served as a platform for sharing best practices in alcohol policy. SESRIC was represented by Ms. Fatma Nur Zengin, Programme Coordinator, at the symposium.

Harmful use of alcohol use is a serious risk factor for a number of noncommunicable diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol is one of the major risk factor for the disease burden globally. Alcohol is also linked to the prevalence of a number of communicable diseases. It is one of the risk factors for traffic crashes and violence, including domestic violence. It also results in work absence and loss in productivity. In many developed countries due to its harmful effects on society and the individual, alcohol is considered to be the most serious risk factor, above illicit drugs.

H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey, Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the WHO ,Ministers and Vice-Ministers from Tunisia, Egypt, Albania and representatives from Sudan, Nigeria and Iran as well as a series of leading experts in the field of alcohol policy and representatives from various organizations attended the symposium.

During the symposium, local and foreign experts presented papers on:

• patterns of alcohol consumption;
• the effects of alcohol use and harm on the individual and the society;
• effective alcohol control policies on pricing and taxation, drink-driving, marketing and sponsorship of alcohol products, and availability of alcohol products, particularly with regard to children and young people;
• alcohol-related health issues;
• and guidance for MS on adopting national policies on alcohol control.

Following issues were discussed at the symposium:

• how decision-makers and scientists over the next decade will advance national and global alcohol policies;
• the duties of other sectors in regard to successful implementation of alcohol policies;
• the importance of political and social awareness in protecting young people from alcohol consumption;
• and how to increase cooperation between different segments of the society to address alcohol-related medical and social problems.

More information can be found at: www.gaps-istanbul.com

Documents

Agenda (English)