Gaining health : analysis of policy development in European ...

measures. For example, the Department of Mental Health
of the MHSS has a section dealing with preventive activities
in the field of alcohol and drug control, the Ministry of
National Education and Religious Affairs organizes health
education campaigns in selected schools, and the Traffic Police
are responsible for administering the drink–driving test,
which was introduced in the late 1990s partly as a result of
the WHO Alcohol Action Plan.
Alcohol producers require a licence, but to ensure the high
quality of their products rather than to control consumption.
Since 1989, the legal lower age limit for purchasing
alcohol in bars, discotheques and restaurants is 18 years.
However, there have only recently been attempts to
enforce the law and such places of entertainment are open
long hours, or even all night in seaside areas. Alcoholic
beverages are freely available in supermarkets, kiosks and
specialized stores.
There are no legal restrictions concerning alcohol advertising
and sponsorship, though recently the three public
television channels initiated a policy of reducing the amount
of alcohol advertising.
Fines for drink–driving have not until recently been severe
unless the driver has been involved in an accident (when
there may also be a temporary suspension of the driving
licence) and many drivers seem to think there is little
chance of their being tested. According to a Eurobarometer
report (33), 49% of respondents in Greece do not
know what level of blood alcohol is allowed when driving.
However, 92% consider that effective police controls would
reduce alcohol consumption before driving. The new driving
code and points system introduced in 2007 imposes much
heavier penalties for drinking and driving.
There is no central coordinating body responsible for
alcohol control, although the National Council on Alcohol,
which consists of experts and representatives of several
ministries, is working towards this end.
2.7. Settings
The settings approach has been introduced in Greece to
some extent and the public health strategy presently being
developed intends to expand this approach.
2.7.1. Healthy Cities
Athens has been a member of the WHO Healthy Cities
programme since 1995 and continues to be part of the
WHO network. The Athens Healthy Cities office is based
in the municipality’s urban planning division and is expected
to study the quality of life not only in the city but in the
whole of Attica. Within this framework, a city health profile
has been formulated and an intersectoral strategy for health
developed. There appears to be cross-party support in the
Athens municipal council for action to deal with the determinants
of health.
Some years ago 52 cities from all parts of the country were
members of the National Network of Healthy Cities, but
this network no longer appears to be in operation.
Meanwhile, two related NGOs, the National Network of
Health Promoting Municipalities and the Transmunicipal
Health Network, have developed similar networks. These
aim to support cities in organizing and evaluating health
promotion, exchanging information and training, and linking
with similar international networks.
2.7.2. Schools
There is no school health system in Greece. Schools are
inspected regarding their hygiene standards, and children
are, examined at the start of the school year. A joint decision
of the Ministries of Education and Religious Affairs and
the MHSS in 2005 standardized this process, clarifying the
form and content of a personal health card for pupils. The
introduction of the card is already considered to have had
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Case studies: policy development in countries for tackling noncommunicable diseases