National Prevention Agreement launched today

23 November 2018

Today at The Hague, the National Prevention Agreement has been presented. The document consists of a package of projects and measures on reducing smoking, overweight and problematic alcohol use. State Secretary Paul Blokhuis of Health, Welfare and Sport has sent it - on behalf of the cabinet - to Dutch Parliament.

The 70 signatories want, among others, to achieve in 2040 that Dutch youth is smoke-free, that young people and pregnant women do not drink alcohol, that everyone is much more aware of the risks of alcohol, that the percentage of excessive drinkers has dropped, as well as the number of people who are overweight. The Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy STAP is one of the signatories.

State Secretary Blokhuis: "Smoking, obesity and problematic alcohol use cause major health problems for many people. About 20,000 Dutch people die each year from smoking. Obesity is an important cause of, for example, cardiovascular disease and even 40% of all cases of type 2 diabetes. Alcohol causes about 3,000 cases of cancer each year and is the main supplier of addiction care. So, the urgency is high."

Educational institutions and student associations will make plans to significantly reduce risky alcohol use among students. Professionals and volunteers are supported to identify and prevent problematic alcohol use. Compliance with the age limit for alcohol sales by providers is gradually being increased to 100% by 2030. Alcohol advertising along the fields in amateur sport is disappearing. Sports canteens will serve alcohol more responsible, for example by not tapping beer during youth competitions and a ban on “beer per meter”. The parties involved will also ensure that young people are less exposed to alcohol advertising via social media and in places where they often come.

In addition, the State Secretary states in his letter to Dutch Parliament that there will be an end to exorbitant stunts with alcohol. Offers are limited to a maximum of 25% discount. People are then less tempted to buy more alcohol than they intended.

An initial analysis by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) shows that the high ambitions from the National Prevention Agreement call for sharper measures. On the basis of this analysis, the parties involved concluded that the National Prevention Agreement is an important step towards the desired goal. It is the start of a movement.

Source: rijksoverheid.nl.

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