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Lithuanian experience in alcohol control policy development

Lithuanian experience in alcohol control policy development. Aurelijus Veryga , MD, PhD, Assoc. prof . Expert of the Parliament Committee of Health of the Republic of Lithuania. 4 th EUROPEAN ALCOHOL POLICY CONFERENCE, BRUSSELS 21-22 JUNE, 2010. Alcohol policy.

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Lithuanian experience in alcohol control policy development

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  1. Lithuanian experience in alcohol control policy development AurelijusVeryga, MD, PhD, Assoc. prof. Expert of the Parliament Committee of Health of theRepublic of Lithuania 4th EUROPEAN ALCOHOL POLICY CONFERENCE, BRUSSELS 21-22 JUNE, 2010

  2. Alcohol policy • Official alcohol control policy started in year 1996 after introduction of Alcohol Control Law. • At that time alcohol production was owned by state • Alcohol selling time was restricted • There was almost no alcohol advertisement

  3. Policy development 1996 -2007 • Alcohol production companies were sold to private business; • Alcohol advertisement was allowed and restricted only in content, beer advertisement was associated with most popular sport in the country – basketball; • Alcohol sale was allowed 24 hours; • There was allowed to sell alcohol in fuel stations, sanatoriums, living houses; • Tax reductions for cider and small brewers were introduced; • Excise tax for spirits was reduced by 40% in 1999; • In 2004 after joining EU import tax disappeared; • This happened in the context of more than 20% of income grow every year until 2007; • There were 16 5000 licenses to sell alcohol given to the business.

  4. Percentage of 11-15 years old children reported has been drunk 2 or more times in a life, year 1998 Boys Girls HBSC, 2006

  5. Percentage of 11-15 years old children reported has been drunk 2 or more times in a life, year 2006 Boys Girls HBSC, 2006

  6. 9-14 old children alcohol intoxications (hospital cases with diagnostic code T-51) 17,3 times increase in 6 years

  7. Per capita consumption of pure alcohol in liters(according to legal sales) According to number of alcohol psychosis the real consumption was 20 l Real sittuation Has been planed according to Lithuanian Health Program

  8. Policy development 2007 - 2009 • Year 2008 was announced as “Year of sobriety” by the Lithuanian Parliament • Some financial recourses were allocated to informational campaigns • Alcohol advertisement was banned during day time (from 6 AM till 11 PM) in TV and radio • Excise tax was raised for alcohol and tax reductions for small brewers and cider disappeared • Alcohol selling time was reduced and it was forbidden to sell alcohol from 8 AM till 10 PM • Public discussions about alcohol problems started • Public organizations became active in alcohol control area, coalition of 25 NGO’s started active policy work • Fines for drunk drivers were increased, confiscation of cars was introduced (about 800 cars are confiscated each year), removal of the driving license introduced • Increased excise taxes come in to the place together with economical crisis and rapid decrease in people income

  9. Alcohol related problems dynamic (cases per 100 000 population) 27 % decrease in 2 years 31% decrease in 2 years

  10. Dynamic of alcohol related problems (in the year 2009) • 456 people less died (30% decrease) from alcohol related causes • 1,8 times decrease of alcoholic cardiomiopathy • 7,5% decrease of social risk families with drinking problems • 41% decrease of drunk drivers caused road accidents

  11. Major problems unsolved • Illegal production and illegal sale of alcohol • Uncontrolled sales to minors • Ban of alcohol advertisement in 2012 • Ban of alcohol sales in kiosks in 2012 New regulations coming to place

  12. New pro alcohol proposals • To extend alcohol selling hours • To legalize home made spirit production • To close State Tobacco and Alcohol Control Agency

  13. New alcohol control proposals • To allow alcohol sales only in specialized shops or units • To increase legal age to 21 • New regulation for packaging and labeling

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