title: Prevention policies.
abstract: Alcohol is a special commodity because of its dependence producing properties and the extent and severity of problems associated with its use, many of which are preventable. The elements of a comprehensive preventive policy include: controls to raise the price of alcohol; controls on the availability of alcohol, particularly minimum age limits for the purchase of alcohol and limits to the hours and days of sale of alcohol and numbers of outlets; controls on the use of alcohol, particularly restricting drinking and driving; product safety standards, particularly information on the alcohol content of beverages, controls on marketing, particularly restrictions on advertising and sponsorship and; education and information programmes, including those based at a community level to promote support for prevention policies and those based in schools and primary health care.
authors.affiliation: Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Unit, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lehto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000329:Advertising; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure