The third webinar in the WHO/Europe and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) alcohol and cancer series will explore how limiting the availability of alcohol through restrictions on locations, hours and days of sale can help reduce overall consumption and alcohol-related harm. Policies such as limiting retail hours, regulating outlet density and enforcing age restrictions have been shown to influence drinking patterns, particularly among young people.
The session will also examine the growing impact of online alcohol sales and delivery services. As digital purchasing becomes more widespread, especially among youth, these emerging sales channels present new challenges for effective regulation and enforcement.
Participants will also hear the latest evidence on availability policies, with examples of national implementation and insights into common enforcement challenges across various settings. The webinar will highlight findings from the recent WHO/Europe report “Nordic alcohol monopolies: understanding their role in a comprehensive alcohol policy structure and public health significance”. This report explores how state-run alcohol retail monopolies in Nordic countries, which operate without a profit motive, support broader strategies to reduce availability and related harm. These systems have contributed to shifting drinking behaviours and protecting young people.
The webinar is part of the WHO–European Union (EU) Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION) funded by the European Commission. EVID-ACTION’s objective is to use scientific evidence to promote and facilitate the implementation of effective alcohol policies in the EU, Iceland, Norway and Ukraine.
Registration
All webinars are free to attend. Registration in advance is required and can be completed using the link.