2. What are social aspects organizations?

Nearly twenty years ago, Tim Ambler of Grand Metropolitan set out what he considered to be the principal dangers facing the beverage alcohol industry(3):

  • "excise duties to be raised faster than inflation;

  • more vigorous measures to be taken to reduce drunken driving;

  • restrictions on retail hours, licenses etc.;

  • funding rehabilitation for those suffering the effects of alcohol abuse;

  • advertising and other marketing restrictions;

  • warning labels on alcoholic drinks and posters for all retail establishments; and

  • ingredient labelling."

He stated:

"It is generally agreed that the tobacco industry reacted to not dissimilar threats in a passive, inadequate manner and most of all too late .. dead customers ring no tills .. profit and social responsibility are entirely compatible."

Over the subsequent years, organizations were set up and funded by the beverage alcohol industry to consider the social aspects of its product. Although the first such organization was the Dutch group STIVA, it was not until the creation of the United Kingdom based Portman group in 1989 that social aspects organizations began to raise their profile. Today, such organizations operate at the global level (International Center for Alcohol Policies), the European level (The Amsterdam Group), and at the country level, in high, middle and low income countries (see the annex).

The aim of these organizations is to appear socially responsible and public health friendly. However, a number of questions need answering. Is there common ground between public health and the beverage alcohol industry, and, if so, where is it to be found and where does control of the policy agenda lie? Can social aspects organizations be trusted and, were this to be the case, is some form of partnership possible? The answers to these questions can best be determined by an examination of the industry's standpoints and statements and its responses to different aspects of alcohol policy.

(3) Ambler, T. 1984. Quoted in Rutherford, D. Social Aspects groups. Towards a global alcohol policy. The Globe.