The government needs to establish governance processes that promote transparency and ‘protect health-focused policymaking from alcohol industry interference’, according to guidance developed by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) and other campaigners.
It also needs to acknowledge the ‘essential conflict of interest’ between its public health goals and the industry’s economic objectives, the document adds, and reject partnerships with industry bodies. Any interactions should be minimised, with those that do occur restricted to ‘information exchange to support policy implementation’. Previous plans to reduce alcohol-related harm – such as the long-delayed implementation of minimum unit pricing in Scotland – had been subjected to ‘interference’ from the industry, says the guidance, which is published in the Guardian.
‘Just like tobacco companies, alcohol companies have a long history of disrupting and delaying health policy, which is why the World Health Organization advises governments to protect against undue influence from the alcohol industry,’ said IAS chief executive Dr Katherine Severi. ‘Alcohol companies, trade bodies and industry-funded front groups should be treated in a similar way to the tobacco industry, with all interactions a matter of public record and discussions limited to implementation of policies that have been developed in the public interest.’
However Portman Group chief executive Matt Lambert labelled the guidance a ‘narrow-minded suggestion put forward by an organisation funded by the temperance movement’, and one that failed to take into account industry-funded initiatives to encourage moderation, reduce harms and promote responsible marketing. ‘It is vital to listen to a range of voices on these important issues and it would be counterproductive to exclude the expertise of the alcohol industry and self-regulatory bodies which do a huge amount to encourage responsible consumption,’ he said.
Report available here