ALCOHOL and Health Forum the Portuguese14 years’ experience of an ecological approach to the Alcohol Related Harm

The Portuguese Alcohol and Health Forum is a national network created 14 years ago, which aims to raise awareness among civil society to achieve the major objective of reducing harmful alcohol consumption. Recreating the European Alcohol and Health Forum, it integrates 88 stakeholders from central and local Public Administration, NGO, Universities, Scientific Societies, Trade Unions and Economic Operators to debate the use of alcohol and its implications on public health. It has become an important advisory body for national alcohol policies, namely in the availability regulation, sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Each member commits with projects in their areas of expertise to achieve the goals of the National Plan for the Reduction of Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies.

The projects presented are based on a collective commitment based on 3 common highlights: •Do not drink alcohol under the age of 18; •Do not drink alcohol if you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding; •Do not drink alcohol while driving.

The work developed during the 14 years demonstrates the unequivocal involvement of all members creating a true ecological response, implemented at different levels of influence, from the individual to micro and macro level. Thise-poster is intended to present the data resulting from these 14 years of activity, with a special focus on the different types of intervention, contexts and targets achieved. Together, this dynamic network of organisations is involved in the diagnosis, planning and implementation of current needs regarding alcohol related harm and responding to the challenges for the coming years.