A House of Lords committee is calling European Union (EU) to implement tighter regulations on taxation and labeling, in order to combat alcohol-related harm

This comes as the committee thought that the EU alcohol strategy implemented from 2006 through 2012 did not take effective action in combatting alcohol abuse across all Member States.

According to the Lords report, alcohol abuse is the third highest cause of disease and death in Europe, which records highest alcohol consumption per head.

The liver-deaths rate in the UK has almost quadrupled over the last 40 years.

In a move to tackle these problems, the committee wants the EU to reform its taxation structure, which prevents Member States from raising duties on the most harmful substances, and provides incentives to purchase drinks with higher alcohol contents.

The committee also wants the EU to introduce new rules for alcoholic drinks labeling.

It wants alcoholic drinks labels to include strength, the calorie content, guidelines on safe drinking levels, and a warning about the dangers of drinking when pregnant.

Lords committee chairman Baroness Prashar said: "During our inquiry we heard from manufacturers, retailers and advertisers about the voluntary initiatives they have developed to tackle the harm caused by alcohol abuse. Voluntary action alone is not enough. It must be backed by legislation at EU level, and industry should play a constructive role in bringing this about.

"We also need further cross-border research on alcohol abuse, its effects, and what works to prevent it. The EU is well placed to commission such research, but it was clear during the course of our inquiry that the way this is currently done is unsatisfactory. A more strategic approach is needed in the selection of research topics, and the way research is commissioned, and a clear distinction should be drawn between those conducting the research and those formulating policy."