Protective alcohol policy requires legislative action

Governments have been rightly concerned about the impact of the ‘credit crunch’ on the economic life of their people. This is a problem that is partly due to the effects of deregulation, an unfettered financial market and the lack of effective oversight by governments. Immediate and positive action has been undertaken. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the global crisis in alcohol consumption that is adversely affecting the social and health well being of the world’s people.

Alcohol accounts for 1 in 25 (3.8%) of global deaths. In people under 60 years of age the proportion of deaths is 5.3%. The alcohol attributable disease burden lies more with younger than older people. Of years lived with disability attributable to alcohol, 34% were experienced by people aged 15 to 29 years of age. Europe, with the highest levels of consumption, experiences 1 in 10 deaths attributable to alcohol and up to 9 million children living in families adversely affected by alcohol.

Where alcohol policy strategies are initiated, they are weakened by the lobbying tactics of an over powerful drink industry. The drink industry’s mantra is that the answer is education and the personal responsibility of drinkers - a mantra conveniently accepted by decision makers. Education without legislation is ineffective. The Commission on Social Determinants, set up by the WHO, recognises the need for legislation. The report maintains that a society without effective alcohol policies is likely to experience a sharp rise in alcohol problems. It sees the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control as an excellent example of coherent global action to restrain market availability of a lethal product. It goes on to urge WHO to initiate a discussion with Member States on regulatory action for alcohol control.

Derek Rutherford