MEPs from all parties have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the rising levels of childhood overweight and obesity and the alarming levels of youth binge drinking that persist in Europe today.
Yet, when the opportunity arises to put declarations into action, the response falls short.
The draft report of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) has at various instances even weakened the Commission proposal, which is striking given that the European Parliament is support to represent the interests of Europe's people.
On 25 May 2016, the European Commission adopted a proposal to revise the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), which includes provisions governing commercial communications for foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS foods) and alcoholic beverages to children and minors.
Any realistic attempt to tackle child obesity and alcohol harm in youth must reduce children's and adolescents' exposure to marketing.
It is well-established that advertising influences consumption patterns – especially for children – by increasing overall consumption of the product category advertised, and not just of a certain brand.
Nevertheless, the co-rapporteurs of the CULT committee propose to delete the one article that explicitly addresses the marketing of HFSS food.
Effective rules to limit exposure to health-harmful marketing, including restrictions on advertising during peak viewing hours and on sponsorship and product placement, will protect minors and empower parents in their efforts to educate children about healthy lifestyles.
Self-regulation has failed to achieve this result.
To ensure that front-runner governments can take firm action, they should be able to limit broadcasts from other countries on public health grounds.
It is also strongly recommend that the CULT committee adopts the World Health Organisation's nutrient profile model as the mechanism by which to define HFSS foods.
The members of this coalition of health organisations draw attention to the evidence we have repeatedly presented on the links between marketing and health, and highlight that with the AVMSD, the CULT committee have a once in a decade opportunity to protect the well-being of Europe's future generations.
European Heart Network
European Alcohol Policy Alliance
European Centre for monitoring Alcohol Marketing
International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies – AIM
IOGT-NTO
European Public Health Alliance
European Association for the study of the liver
Standing Committee of European Doctors
British Medical Association
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems
Institute of Alcohol Studies
European Kidney Health Alliance
Alcohol Action Ireland
United European Gastroenterology
Lisbeth founded EUobserver in 2000 and is responsible to the Board for effective strategic leadership, planning and performance. After graduating from the Danish School of Media and Journalism, she worked as a journalist, analyst, and editor for Danish media.
Lisbeth founded EUobserver in 2000 and is responsible to the Board for effective strategic leadership, planning and performance. After graduating from the Danish School of Media and Journalism, she worked as a journalist, analyst, and editor for Danish media.