May 25, 2010: With more than 2.5 million deaths a year attributed to the harmful use of alcohol, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global strategy aimed and reducing alcohol abuse worldwide. The proposal was endorsed in a consensus vote by all 192 nations who are members of the organization.

After years of inaction, WHO has taken steps for the first time to address the No. 8 cause of death worldwide.

The recommendations range from community prevention efforts, to lowering legal limits for drunk driving, to raising taxes on alcoholic beverages to limiting the sales and marketing of alcohol. The policy, in the works for at least two years, has been carefully monitored by the alcohol industry, which of course does not agree with the WHO findings.

The industry contends that raising taxes and limiting alcohol advertising does not reduce harmful drinking, contrary to research used by WHO to make its recommendations.

The policies and interventions of the organization fall into 10 general areas:

1. Leadership, Awareness and Commitment - The WHO encourages member states to develop policies based on available evidence and tailored to local circumstances, with clear objectives, strategies and targets. Each country should appoint an agency to coordinate carrying out the action plan and policies.

2. Health Services' Response - WHO recommends increasing the capacity of health and social welfare systems to deliver prevention, treatment and care for alcohol-use and alcohol-induced disorders and co-morbid conditions.

3. Community Action - Among the recommendations for community is developing plans to prevent the selling of alcohol to underage drinkers and developing alcohol-free environments for young people and other at-risk groups.

4. Drunk-driving policies and countermeasures - The WHO recommends lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit for drunk driving, using sobriety checkpoints, using breath tests and ignition interlock devices, among other steps.

5. Availability of Alcohol - Recommendations include regulating the number of retail alcohol outlets, limiting the hours of sales and eliminating sales in certain areas.

6. Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages - The policy recommends limiting the content and volume of alcohol advertising, regulating sponsorship activities involving alcoholic beverages and regulation new media/social network advertising.

7. Pricing Policies - According to the WHO report, "Increasing the price of alcoholic beverages is one of the most effective interventions to reduce harmful use of alcohol." The policy recommends raising taxes on alcohol, prohibiting promotional pricing and establishing minimum prices for alcoholic beverages.

8. Reducing the Negative Consequences of Drinking and Alcohol Intoxication - Among the recommendats are enforcing laws against serving someone who is intoxicated, reducing the strength of alcoholic drinks, and labeling alcoholic beverages to warn of the harm of excess drinking.

9. Reducing the Public Health Impact of Illicit Alcohol and Informally Produced Alcohol - The production of "informal alcohol" is still ingrained in many cultures. The WHO recommends bringing these illegally produced beverages into the taxation system and regulating their quality, while warning the public about their dangers.

10. Monitoring and Surveillance - The policy recommends periodic national surveys on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm to determine how the new steps are affecting harmful drinking in the country. Source: World Health Organization.