World No Alcohol Day

World No Tobacco Day has become an established rallying point for global tobacco prevention efforts, and now advocates would like to see a similar annual event aimed at alcohol use.

The Times of India reported May 27 that a group of 11 Southeast Asian nations has proposed that the World Health Organization (WHO) establish Oct. 2 -- Mahatma Gandhi's birthday -- as World No Alcohol Day. The proposal was made by India and accepted by the World Health Assembly this week.

A final vote on the plan would take place at the assembly's executive board meeting in January 2009. "It could take a year for the proposal to be granted official approval. We are confident that it will go through," said an official of the Indian health ministry.

A Framework Convention on Alcohol Control also is being considered by WHO, and all 193 WHO member nations this week signed a resolution pledging to reduce alcohol-related harm.