Drinks on the table at World Health Organisation summit

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

GENEVA (AFP) — The World Health Organisation faces pressure to take a tough stance on alcohol consumption at its annual assembly in Geneva this week amid fears industry lobby groups will water down any proposals.

The WHO's 61st assembly opening Monday will debate "strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol" and a key official said there was a firm commitment among members to achieve concrete results.

"The forces behind this are now well marshalled... the push to WHO to actually move towards a draft strategy is very strong here," said Bill Kean, executive director of the office of the Director General, Margaret Chan.

"We've heard from several large developing countries of their interest in this... I think the debate will be very wide-ranging but I don't...