Overview: WHO calls for tougher alcohol regulations in Europe
The World Health Organization’s cancer research arm has released a handbook arguing that stricter alcohol rules would reduce cancer rates in Europe. While the recommendation is clear about the health benefits, it also acknowledges the political difficulty of implementing such measures in a region with strong cultural and economic ties to alcohol.
Evidence spotlight: alcohol policy can save lives
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is “sufficient evidence” that policy measures—like higher taxes, tighter availability, marketing bans, and government-controlled sales—can meaningfully cut alcohol consumption and, by extension, cancer risk. Elisabete Weiderpass, the director of IARC, called the new handbook a “policy milestone” for cancer prevention, underscoring the potential to save lives through proven interventions.
Why Europe is a priority
EU countries bear a heavy burden: the WHO European region has the world’s highest level of alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related deaths account for hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Hans Kluge, WHO Europe’s regional director, stressed that action is particularly urgent within the European Union, where a patchwork of national policies has left gaps in protection against alcohol-related cancers.
Policy options: what works and what’s challenging
The handbook consolidates global research showing several effective strategies. Among the strongest levers are reducing availability, imposing or increasing taxes, and enforcing advertising restrictions or bans. Government-controlled sales also emerged as a potent tool in curbing consumption. Yet Elisbabete Weiderpass notes that price hikes via taxation are often the least popular option politically.
Political realities in Europe
Despite the clear health case, political pushback is intense. Some wine-producing nations—such as Spain, Italy, and France—resist measures that threaten traditional wine industries. Critics argue that alcohol, unlike tobacco, is deeply embedded in cultural practices and dietary habits. This tension was spotlighted recently when European policymakers engaged with wine sector representatives during visits and public discussions.
Public uptake: labeling and information as a pathway forward
Beyond taxation and sales rules, the handbook highlights the importance of transparent labeling and public information. MEPs Against Cancer Chair Romana Jerković stressed that many Europeans still assume there is a safe level of drinking, a belief the new evidence disputes. Ireland’s approach to warning labels on alcoholic beverages is cited as a benchmark, though Ireland recently postponed its national plan—from 2026 to 2028—amid industry pressure.
EU ambitions and the Beating Cancer Plan
The European Beating Cancer Plan sets a broad ambition to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. However, concrete alcohol-related measures—such as EU-wide labeling standards, marketing restrictions, or pricing strategies—remain unsettled. Jerković argues for a Europe-wide rethinking of drinking norms, suggesting that a future without alcohol as the default social choice is possible if robust, evidence-based policies are adopted.
Looking ahead: policy milestones and public health
Officials acknowledge that the path to stronger alcohol governance will be arduous, requiring political consensus and cross-border cooperation. Nonetheless, the IARC handbook positions such measures as a critical step in reducing alcohol-related cancer risk. As EU institutions weigh next steps, the question remains: can Europe transform a long-standing cultural habit into a sustained public health victory?
