ABSTRACT
This chapter provides one source of data with which we can assess the relationship between alcohol control policies, per capita alcohol consumption and alcohol related harm in sixteen countries of Europe. It examines the status of a public health perspective on alcohol problems. France has amongst the highest levels of alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis mortality in Europe despite the fact that it has a high alcohol control status. The evidence concerning the relationship between the real price of alcoholic beverages and per capita alcohol consumption is also far from unequivocal. The development of per capita alcohol consumption and of liver cirrhosis mortality is of interest to a public health perspective not only in and of itself but also as an index of other dimensions of alcohol related harm. The control of alcohol availability is only one part of a public health perspective. There are some social and environmental measures within the countries studied that are consistent with these initiatives.
