Happy Hours about to end as Spain’s parliament pass Public Health Act to curb binge drinking.

Adopted unanimously by all groups after its passage in committee, it will standardize actions to protect the health of the population through the creation of the Public Health Agency of Catalonia, of which the Government will have a 55% and municipalities 45%.

Happy Hours about to end as Spain’s parliament pass Public Health Act to curb binge drinking.

The new portfolio of health measures see ‘Happy Hour’ and ‘Buy 1 get one free’ offers as encouraging binge drinking and therefore costing the Spanish health service millions of euros. Establishments ignoring the ban will face fines of more than 6,000 euros, or in severe cases a closure order on the premises, according to Director General of Public Health, Antoni Plasència.

Adopted unanimously by all groups after its passage in committee, it will standardize actions to protect the health of the population through the creation of the Public Health Agency of Catalonia, of which the Government will have a 55% and municipalities 45%.

The legislation, a pioneering step for Spain, gives raw 'measures for prevention and promotes health as the parliament consider that this is the best way to ensure, ultimately, a reduction in welfare spending. Among the 29 measures, the highlights are support for smoking cessation and promoting physical activity and healthy eating and are key to preventing some of the diseases that are the biggest killers such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

The specific portfolios of services is to be adopted within six months and will specify what types of aid for smoking cessation are included, although the health system does already provide pharmacological support right now for persons who want give up the habit.

The portfolio of benefits, also includes the promotion of healthy environments, counselling and family planning to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, promoting oral health, cancer prevention, and protection of the population from risks of chemical, biological and radiological pollution.

The law also provides for the supervision and monitoring of food establishments, water consumption, Legionella, disease outbreaks, health alerts, plans for preventing influenza in winter and heatwaves.

The Regional Minister for Health, Marina Geli, has expressed her satisfaction at the adoption of a law. "This is a positive law, which aims to reduce risks to health that is innovative and inclusive," she stressed.



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