The Director of the Food and Drug Agency in Austria, Johannes Pliner-Doxenoner, emphasized the need for regulations on food, alcohol, and tobacco as essential measures to combat major health threats in Europe. He stated at the European Health Summit in Gastein, Austria, that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and obesity are the main threats to society.
The Necessity of Focusing on Harmful Substances
Pliner-Doxenoner stated that governments should focus on regulating harmful substances like sugar, salt, alcohol, and tobacco instead of entering into complex discussions about ultra-processed foods. He added, "These are the main causes of mortality, so we need to look at the issue more simply and avoid complex discussions."
Read more: Holding the Second Make America Healthy Again Summit
Currently, Brussels has become a hot spot for discussions related to disease prevention. Last week, Members of the European Parliament engaged in intense debate regarding the impact of alcohol on cancer in a parliamentary report. Some lawmakers expressed their concerns about prioritizing industrial interests over public health.
Efforts to Reduce Consumption of Harmful Substances
Lawmakers are striving to find the best strategies to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods and tobacco. Discussions about these substances have recently intensified, and the European Commission has asked its scientific advisory mechanism to examine the health impacts and consumption patterns of these substances. Meanwhile, tobacco regulations have also divided various countries, as the European Union is considering a proposal to increase taxes on cigarettes and set a minimum tax for tobacco-related products.
In terms of sugary drink taxation, countries are increasingly imposing taxes on these types of beverages to reduce consumption. Especially among children, obesity rates are rising sharply. The World Health Organization has also stated that taxes are one of the strongest tools for promoting health and preventing diseases. The German government plans to impose a new tax on sugary drinks starting in 2027, while the UK has implemented such a tax for years.
Although Austria currently does not have a tax on sugary drinks, this issue is frequently raised in public and political discussions. Pliner-Doxenoner said that the industry strongly opposes this issue, and the reason this discussion is not currently heated is the same. He added, "No one wants to harm the industry, so this is one of the reasons for the lack of attention to this issue at the moment, but it is one of the tools that can be used to reduce sugar consumption."
Alongside regulation, Pliner-Doxenoner emphasized the importance of education. He stated that educational programs should start at a young age, even from kindergarten. According to him, statistics from Austria show that education at these ages is up to seven times more effective than education during adolescence. He also stressed the need to target advertising on social media.
Read more: Heidi Overton Dodged Accountability in Her Confirmation Hearing · Dizziness Caused by BPPV Due to Head Position Change
