1. Lithuanian experience in alcohol control policy development Aurelijus Veryga, MD, PhD, Assoc. prof. Expert of the Parliament Committee of Health of the Republic of Lithuania 4 th EUROPEAN ALCOHOL POLICY CONFERENCE, BRUSSELS 21-22 JUNE, 2010

2. Alcohol policy Official alcohol control policy started in year 1996 after introduction of Alcohol Control Law. At that time alcohol production was owned by state Alcohol selling time was restricted There was almost no alcohol advertisement

3. Policy development 1996 -2007 Alcohol production companies were sold to private business; Alcohol advertisement was allowed and restricted only in content, beer advertisement was associated with most popular sport in the country – basketball; Alcohol sale was allowed 24 hours; There was allowed to sell alcohol in fuel stations, sanatoriums, living houses; Tax reductions for cider and small brewers were introduced; Excise tax for spirits was reduced by 40% in 1999; In 2004 after joining EU import tax disappeared; This happened in the context of more than 20% of income grow every year until 2007; There were 16 5000 licenses to sell alcohol given to the business.

4. Percentage of 11-15 years old children reported has been drunk 2 or more times in a life, year 1998 HBSC, 2006 Girls Boys

5. Percentage of 11-15 years old children reported has been drunk 2 or more times in a life, year 2006 HBSC, 2006 Girls Boys

6. 9-14 old children alcohol intoxications (hospital cases with diagnostic code T-51) 17,3 times increase in 6 years

7. Has been planed according to Lithuanian Health Program Real sittuation According to number of alcohol psychosis the real consumption was 20 l

8. Policy development 2007 - 2009 Year 2008 was announced as “Year of sobriety” by the Lithuanian Parliament Some financial recourses were allocated to informational campaigns Alcohol advertisement was banned during day time (from 6 AM till 11 PM) in TV and radio Excise tax was raised for alcohol and tax reductions for small brewers and cider disappeared Alcohol selling time was reduced and it was forbidden to sell alcohol from 8 AM till 10 PM Public discussions about alcohol problems started Public organizations became active in alcohol control area, coalition of 25 NGO’s started active policy work Fines for drunk drivers were increased, confiscation of cars was introduced (about 800 cars are confiscated each year), removal of the driving license introduced Increased excise taxes come in to the place together with economical crisis and rapid decrease in people income

9. Alcohol related problems dynamic (cases per 100 000 population) 31% decrease in 2 years 27 % decrease in 2 years

10. Dynamic of alcohol related problems (in the year 2009) 456 people less died (30% decrease) from alcohol related causes 1,8 times decrease of alcoholic cardiomiopathy 7,5% decrease of social risk families with drinking problems 41% decrease of drunk drivers caused road accidents

11. Major problems unsolved Illegal production and illegal sale of alcohol Uncontrolled sales to minors Ban of alcohol advertisement in 2012 Ban of alcohol sales in kiosks in 2012 New regulations coming to place

12. New pro alcohol proposals To extend alcohol selling hours To legalize home made spirit production To close State Tobacco and Alcohol Control Agency

13. New alcohol control proposals To allow alcohol sales only in specialized shops or units To increase legal age to 21 New regulation for packaging and labeling