EU TO GET TOUGH ON REGION'S BINGE DRINKING

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 7th Sep 2007

Less than a week after the publication of a report showing a worrying increase in binge drinking, the European Parliament has adopted an initiative aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in Member States.

West Midlands LibDem MEP Liz Lynne feels that the UK, with one of the worst binge drinking problems in Europe - could benefit from EU help.

Commenting today, Liz said:

"Hospitals across the West Midlands are seeing hundreds of admissions - from head injuries, to broken bones and stomach pumping - as a direct result of binge drinking. This is increasingly worrying, especially when we see children as young as 12 being hospitalised for alcohol-related injuries."

"While the UK government has pledged to cut teen drinking, the problem is only getting worse, so let's learn from our EU partners and work together."

"If we succeed in reducing this phenomenon we can not only bring binge drinking down, but also a multitude of evils that research show often accompany it, such as lack of qualifications, susceptibility to accidents and later social exclusion."

The report adopted by the European Parliament this week raises issues including drinks labelling and warnings and how to reduce drink-driving accidents. It also calls on EU Member States to pay attention to vulnerable social groups, such as young people and pregnant women, and to address the problems of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption through increased awareness and by a review of existing national laws.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Last week an Institute of Child Health study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health revealed that UK teenagers are drinking more than ever. The poll showed that 8,200 11 to 15-year-olds drink every week and that their average weekly consumption is 11.4 units, up from 10.4 units in 2000.