DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

24 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Government ditches ‘disappointing’ talks on cutting alcohol abuse

October 12, 2022
Does the Netherlands have a drink problem? Photo: DutchNews.nl
Does the Netherlands have a drink problem? Photo: DutchNews.nl

The government has ended talks with the drinks industry on tackling alcohol abuse, saying little has been done to protect public health over the past few years.

‘In essence, the difference in standpoints and interests between, say, the alcohol producers and health organisations is too great to be bridged,’ junior health minister Maarten van Ooijen told MPs in a briefing.

Describing the decision as ‘disappointing’ but ‘unavoidable’, Van Ooijen said recent figures on teenage drinking and age checks highlighted the fact that ‘the talks have not led to the necessary and effective measures needed to protect public health.’


The previous cabinet had set up the talks between a variety of interest groups, including hospitality industry body KHN and health insurers, last year as part of a wide-ranging strategy to tackle major health issues.

Ministers signed the National Prevention Agreement in 2018 with some 70 different organisations with the aim of slashing obesity, smoking and drugs and alcohol abuse. In particular, the aim is to reduce the number of problem drinkers from 8.9% of the population to 5% by 2040.

Earlier this month, two of the groups pulled out of the talks on alcohol because they disagreed with the government’s plan to allow ordinary shops to serve wine to their customers.

The World Health Organisation has also recommended tackling alcohol abuse via public health channels and excluding commercial interests, Van Ooijen said.

Talks will continue on achieving the targets agreed in 2018 but the drinks industry’s approval is no longer necessary, Van Ooijen said. Tobacco companies were also excluded from talks on reducing smoking.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Uncategorized
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Dutch fundamentalist Protestants again say "no" to women MPs
AEX falls as Trump threatens 50% import tariff on European goods
Dutch forensic experts develop deepfake video detector
Zaanstad says yes to tourist tickets for Zaanse Schans windmills
Fewer international child abductions by parents last year
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now