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Rules on alcohol consumption

Alcohol abuse is a serious public health problem in the EU, affecting a growing number of people.

It is estimated that 7.4% of health problems and premature deaths are alcohol-related. Young people are particularly at risk: alcohol is the cause of 10% of deaths among young women aged 15-29 and 25% among young men. And alcohol abuse among young people is spreading in all EU countries. These numbers do not include the 10 000 deaths caused by drink-and-drive accidents each year.

To help reduce the damage caused by alcohol abuse, the EU has set up a strategy with five priorities: protect young people and children, combat drink-driving, reduce alcohol-related harm in adults, raise awareness and collect reliable data.

• Legislative instruments
• Preparatory acts
• Other acts

Legislative instruments

• 32008R0008
  

  Commission Regulation (EC) No 8/2008 of 11 December 2007 amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3922/91 as regards common technical requirements and administrative procedures applicable to commercial transportation by aeroplane (Text with EEA relevance )

  Official Journal L 010 , 12/01/2008 P. 0001 - 0206

• 32007D0102
  

  2007/102/EC: Commission Decision of 12 February 2007 adopting the work plan for 2007 for implementation of the programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008), including the annual work programme for grants (Text with EEA relevance )

  Official Journal L 046 , 16/02/2007 P. 0027 - 0044

  Official Journal L 219 , 24/08/2007 P. 0226 - 0243

• 32006G1229(01)
  

  Council Resolution of 4 December 2006 concerning an updated handbook with recommendations for international police cooperation and measures to prevent and control violence and disturbances in connection with football matches with an international dimension, in which at least one Member State is involved

  Official Journal C 322 , 29/12/2006 P. 0001 - 0039

• 32004G0422(01)
  

  Council Resolution of 27 November 2003 on combating the impact of psychoactive substances use on road accidents

  Official Journal C 097 , 22/04/2004 P. 0001 - 0003

• 32004H0345
  

  Commission Recommendation of 6 April 2004 on enforcement in the field of road safety (Text with EEA relevance)

  Official Journal L 111 , 17/04/2004 P. 0075 - 0082

• 32001H0115
  

  Commission Recommendation of 17 January 2001 on the maximum permitted blood alcohol content (BAC) for drivers of motorised vehicles (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2000) 4397)

  Official Journal L 043 , 14/02/2001 P. 0031 - 0036

• 32001Y0214(01)
  

  Commission recommendation of 17 January 2001 on the maximum permitted blood alcohol content (BAC) for drivers of motorised vehicles (Text with EEA relevance)

  Official Journal C 048 , 14/02/2001 P. 0002 - 0010

• 32002D1786
  

  Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2002 adopting a programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008) - Commission Statements

  Official Journal L 271 , 09/10/2002 P. 0001 - 0012

• 32006L0126
  

  Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on driving licences (Recast) (Text with EEA relevance)

  Official Journal L 403 , 30/12/2006 P. 0018 - 0060

• 32001X0620(01)
  

  Council Conclusions of 5 June 2001 on a Community strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm

  Official Journal C 175 , 20/06/2001 P. 0001 - 0002

• 32001H0458
  

  Council Recommendation of 5 June 2001 on the drinking of alcohol by young people, in particular children and adolescents

  Official Journal L 161 , 16/06/2001 P. 0038 - 0041

• 41986X0723(01)
  

  Resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 29 May 1986, on alcohol abuse

  Official Journal C 184 , 23/07/1986 P. 0003 - 0003

Preparatory acts

• 52008PC0151
  

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council facilitating cross-border enforcement in the field of road safety {SEC(2008) 350} {SEC(2008) 351}

• 52008PC0098
  

  Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, and the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability (Codified version)

• 52007DC0199
  

  Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 18 June 2003 on the prevention and reduction of health-related harm associated with drug dependence

• 52006AR0257
  

  Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament Towards a sustainable European wine sector

  Official Journal C 057 , 10/03/2007 P. 0001 - 0001

  Official Journal C 057 , 10/03/2007 P. 0001 - 0006

• 52006DC0625
  

  Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm {SEC(2006) 1358} {SEC(2006) 1360} {SEC(2006) 1411}

• 52006SC1360
  

  Commission staff working document - Document accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - An EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm - Summary of the Impact assessment {COM(2006) 625 final} {SEC(2006) 1358} {SEC(2006) 1411}

• 52006IE0414
  

  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on The prevention of juvenile delinquency. Ways of dealing with juvenile delinquency and the role of the juvenile justice system in the European Union

  Official Journal C 110 , 09/05/2006 P. 0075 - 0082

• 52006DC0074
  

  Communication from the Commission - European road safety action programme mid-term review {SEC(2006) 221}

• 52005DC0484
  

  Green Paper - Improving the mental health of the population - Towards a strategy on mental health for the European Union

• 52004IE1630
  

  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘A European highway code and vehicle register’

  Official Journal C 157 , 28/06/2005 P. 0034 - 0041

• 52004XC0417(03)
  

  Communication from the Commission concerning Commission recommendation of 21 October 2003 on enforcement in the field of road safety (Text with EEA relevance)

  Official Journal C 093 , 17/04/2004 P. 0005 - 0008

• 52003IE0928
  

  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee On "Healthcare"

  Official Journal C 234 , 30/09/2003 P. 0036 - 0044

• 52002DC0118
  

  Communication from the Commission - Adapting to change in work and society: a new Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006

• 52001DC0681
  

  European Commission white paper - A new impetus for European youth

• 52007AR0013
  

  Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on an EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol-related harm

  Official Journal C 197 , 24/08/2007 P. 0048 - 0051

• 52007AE0807
  

  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — An EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm COM(2006) 625 final

  Official Journal C 175 , 27/07/2007 P. 0078 - 0084

• 52006DC0625
  

  Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions an EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm {SEC(2006) 1358} {SEC(2006) 1360} {SEC(2006) 1411}

• 52006SC1360
  

  Commission staff working document - Document accompanying the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - An EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm - Summary of the Impact assessment {COM(2006) 625 final} {SEC(2006) 1358} {SEC(2006) 1411}

• 52001PC0310
  

  Amended proposal for a Council Recommendation on the drinking of alcohol by children and adolescents (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty)

Other acts

• C2008/209/08
  

  Joint Cases C-334/06 to C-336/06: Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 26 June 2008 (reference for a preliminary ruling from the Verwaltungsgericht Chemnitz (Germany)) — Matthias Zerche (C-334/06) and Manfred Seuke (C-336/06) v Landkreis Mittweida and Steffen Schubert (C-335/06) v Landkreis Mittlerer Erzgebirgskreis (Directive 91/439/EEC — Mutual recognition of driving licences — Withdrawal of a licence in one Member State for use of narcotic drugs or alcohol — New licence issued in another Member State — Refusal to recognise right to drive in the first Member State — Residence not in accordance with Directive 91/439/EEC)

  Official Journal C 209 , 15/08/2008 P. 0006 - 0007

• 62006C0329
  

  Opinion of Mr Advocate General Bot delivered on 14 February 2008.

  Arthur Wiedemann v Land Baden-Württemberg (C-329/06) and Peter Funk v Stadt Chemnitz (C-343/06).

  References for a preliminary ruling: Verwaltungsgericht Sigmaringen (C-329/06) and Verwaltungsgericht Chemnitz (C-343/06) - Germany.

  Directive 91/439/EEC - Mutual recognition of driving licences - Withdrawal of a licence in one Member State for use of narcotic drugs or alcohol - New licence issued in another Member State - Refusal to recognise right to drive in the first Member State - Residence not in accordance with Directive 91/439/EEC.

  Joined cases C-329/06 and C-343/06.

  European Court reports 2008 Page 00000

• 62006J0329
  

  Judgment of the Court (Third Chamber) of 26 June 2008.

  Arthur Wiedemann v Land Baden-Württemberg (C-329/06) and Peter Funk v Stadt Chemnitz (C-343/06).

  References for a preliminary ruling: Verwaltungsgericht Sigmaringen (C-329/06) and Verwaltungsgericht Chemnitz (C-343/06) - Germany.

  Directive 91/439/EEC - Mutual recognition of driving licences - Withdrawal of a licence in one Member State for use of narcotic drugs or alcohol - New licence issued in another Member State - Refusal to recognise right to drive in the first Member State - Residence not in accordance with Directive 91/439/EEC.

  Joined cases C-329/06 and C-343/06.

  European Court reports 2008 Page 00000

• 62005C0356
  

  Opinion of Advocate General Stix-Hackl delivered on 5 October 2006.

  Elaine Farrell v Alan Whitty, Minister for the Environment, Ireland, Attorney General and Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI).

  Reference for a preliminary ruling: High Court - Ireland.

  Compulsory insurance for civil liability in respect of motor vehicles - Directives 72/166/EEC, 84/5/EEC and 90/232/EEC - Injuries to the passengers of a vehicle - Part of a vehicle not adapted for the carriage of seated passengers.

  Case C-356/05.

  European Court reports 2007 Page I-03067

• 92002E1894
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION E-1894/02 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Deaths of young people in traffic accidents in Finland.

  Official Journal 309 E , 12/12/2002 P. 0172 - 0172

• 92002E1522
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION E-1522/02 by Ioannis Marínos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Road accidents in Greece.

  Official Journal 277 E , 14/11/2002 P. 0224 - 0225

• 92001E1565
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION E-1565/01 by Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE) to the Commission. Inaccurate statistics on alcohol-related accidents.

  Official Journal 350 E , 11/12/2001 P. 0191 - 0192

• 92000E2432
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION E-2432/00 by Marjo Matikainen-Kallström (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Return of driving licence to persons repeatedly convicted of extreme drunken driving.

  Official Journal 081 E , 13/03/2001 P. 0199 - 0199

• 91998E0682
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION No. 682/98 by Per STENMARCK to the Council. Alcohol and safety on Europe's roads

  Official Journal C 013 , 18/01/1999 P. 0004

• 91997E3702
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3702/97 by Marjo MATIKAINEN-KALLSTRÖM to the Commission. Reduction and harmonization of drink- driving limits in the European Union

  Official Journal C 187 , 16/06/1998 P. 0043

• 91997E2635
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2635/97 by Ursula SCHLEICHER to the Commission. Children at risk from alcoholic drinks such as alcopops and designer drinks

  Official Journal C 102 , 03/04/1998 P. 0080

• 91996E2411
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2411/96 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Drinking and driving

  Official Journal C 072 , 07/03/1997 P. 0039

• 92003E2423
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION E-2423/03 by Kathleen Van Brempt (PSE) to the Commission. Maximum permitted level of alcohol in the bloodstream of a driver.

  Official Journal 051 E , 26/02/2004 P. 0245 - 0246

• 92003E0874
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION E-0874/03 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Averting alcohol-related harm in the EU.

  Official Journal 268 E , 07/11/2003 P. 0158 - 0159

• 92000E2937
  

  WRITTEN QUESTION E-2937/00 by Marielle De Sarnez (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Consumption of alcohol in the workplace.

  Official Journal 136 E , 08/05/2001 P. 0135 - 0136