European Forum for Responsible Drinking

This article is part of the Spinwatch public health oriented Alcohol Portal project.

The European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD), the successor organisation to The Amsterdam Group (TAG) was formed by Europe's influential spirit producers. The organisation provides support to targeted initiatives which they believe promote sensible drinking. EFRD and its member companies believe in an approach to alcohol harm reduction that individualises the problem - drinkers rather than alcohol are the problem. This view is widespread and publicised by most key players in the alcohol industry. They believe that the 'cultural complexity' of alcohol related issues mean that no single approach is adequate across Europe and therefore advocate a flexible approach that is comprised of the least effective measures to combat alcohol related harm.

Their view is that "The vast majority of European adults consume alcohol responsibly and it is now widely recognised that patterns of drinking, and not simply volume of alcohol consumption, provide the best predictors of alcohol-related harm". This is only 'widely recognised' by the alcohol industry, most disinterested campaigners and experts say just the opposite, and advocate a population level approach with a focus on reducing availability and increasing harm.

People

Between 2007 and 2009 Elizabeth Crossick held the chair (EFRD) she was replaced in 2009 by Guillaume de Guitaut, the global public affairs director at Moët-Hennessy.

Members

Bacardi-Martini | Brown-Forman | Diageo | Pernod Ricard | Moët Hennessy | Beam Global Wine and Spirits Former Members

• V&S Group
• Rémy Cointreau

Affiliations

The Forum is a founding member of the European Alcohol and Health Forum