The entry into force of the EU Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009 has laid down the institutional foundations that are necessary for the EU to operate in a more efficient and democratic manner. Amongst others, the Treaty also reinforces the EU's powers in the field of public health. Of particular interest to hepatologists, is Article 168(5) TFEU which refers to the possibility to put in place "incentive measures" to protect public health from the abuse of alcohol. EASL welcomes the explicit reference to alcohol as it believes such measures will help to protect Europeans from liver disease. Nevertheless, EASL still believes that Article 168(5) TFEU needs further clarification as to what this means in practice.
EASL has therefore welcomed MEP Nessa Childers (S&D, IE) response on this issue and her decision to table written questions to the Commission to gain clear answers as to how far this institution is ready to go to protect citizens health through a bolder EU-wide policy on alcohol.
For more information about Nessa Childers:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/expert/searchForm/view.do?partNumber=1&name=childers&language=EN&id=96603
Ms Childers Written Questions are available via the web links below:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-2009-6299+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN
