Lithuania has made significant strides in cutting alcohol consumption, leading to improvements in health, mortality rates and even the economy, experts have said.
During a conference in Vilnius hosted by the Baltic Alcohol Policy Project, an initiative run by the World Health Organization (WHO), international and local experts shared success stories on alcohol control policies in the region.
Maria Neufeld, a specialist from the WHO, singled out Lithuania for its progress because the country has implemented in record time the agency’s recommendations to increase alcohol taxation, limit availability and ban or restrict the advertising of strong alcoholic drinks.
“These [initiatives] have had a huge impact,” Neufeld said on Wednesday, quoted by state broadcaster LRT.
“Thousands of lives have been saved. Millions of euros have been saved or collected [in budget revenue] through higher taxes,” she added.
Alcohol poisoning cases in Lithuania have been halved, experts said, and hospital admissions due to alcohol use have also declined, noted the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which was also present at the event.
Measures like raising the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 20 has also contributed to change, as well an increase in excise taxes, which, the WHO said, immediately lowered male mortality rates.
Maria Neufeld, a specialist from the WHO, singled out Lithuania for its progress because the country has implemented in record time the agency’s recommendations to increase alcohol taxation, limit availability and ban or restrict the advertising of strong alcoholic drinks.
“These [initiatives] have had a huge impact,” Neufeld said on Wednesday, quoted by state broadcaster LRT.
“Thousands of lives have been saved. Millions of euros have been saved or collected [in budget revenue] through higher taxes,” she added.
Alcohol poisoning cases in Lithuania have been halved, experts said, and hospital admissions due to alcohol use have also declined, noted the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which was also present at the event.
Measures like raising the minimum legal drinking age from 18 to 20 has also contributed to change, as well an increase in excise taxes, which, the WHO said, immediately lowered male mortality rates.
However, Neufeld warned that Lithuania needs to make further improvements.
“In Lithuania, people still consume slightly more alcohol than the EU average. So, there’s still room for improvement, but things are heading in the right direction,” she said.
Last year, Movendi, a leading alcohol prevention NGO, warned against the Lithuanian parliament’s decision to ease restrictions on alcohol, which happened as the country was preparing for a general election in October.
The parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Alcohol Control, allowing for the sale of alcoholic beverages with an ABV content of up to 15% at exhibitions, fairs and mass events, and loosening the ban on advertising, among other measures.
“These amendments clearly benefit the alcohol industry and risk fueling alcohol harm in Lithuanian families and communities,” the NGO said.
“In Lithuania, people still consume slightly more alcohol than the EU average. So, there’s still room for improvement, but things are heading in the right direction,” she said.
Last year, Movendi, a leading alcohol prevention NGO, warned against the Lithuanian parliament’s decision to ease restrictions on alcohol, which happened as the country was preparing for a general election in October.
The parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Alcohol Control, allowing for the sale of alcoholic beverages with an ABV content of up to 15% at exhibitions, fairs and mass events, and loosening the ban on advertising, among other measures.
“These amendments clearly benefit the alcohol industry and risk fueling alcohol harm in Lithuanian families and communities,” the NGO said.
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