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CORK Bibliography: Alcohol Beverage Industry

55 citations. January 2009 to present

Prepared: March 2012

[Anon]. World distilled alcoholic beverages market. (commentary). Food Australia 61(5): 157, 2009. (0 refs.)

Adams PJ; Buetow S; Rossen F. Vested interests in addiction research and policy-poisonous partnerships: Health sector buy-in to arrangements with government and addictive consumption industries. Addiction 105(4): 585-590, 2010. (31 refs.)

Aim: This paper critically appraises relationship arrangements among three broadly conceived sectors: the government sector, the health sector (including researchers) and addictive consumption industries (particularly tobacco, alcohol and gambling). Method: Three models for involvement are examined. In the 'tripartite partnership model' health sector agencies engage as co-equals with the government and industry sectors in order to implement public health initiatives such as host responsibility and public education. In the 'non- association model' the health sector engages with government agencies but not with the industry sector. In the 'managed association model' the health sector engages for specific purposes with the industry sector but contact is monitored and managed by government agencies. Findings: Government and industry sectors commonly favour tripartite partnership arrangements. Health sector agencies that opt to engage in these partnership arrangements can encounter conflicts of interest and find their voice subsumed by dominant influences. Furthermore, their partnership compliance generates divisions within the health sector, with partnership dissenters often silenced and excluded from policy processes and funding. The non-association model is the least hazardous to the health sector because it protects against compromise and dominance. The managed association model is an option only when the government sector as a whole is committed strongly and clearly to the public health objectives. Conclusion: In contexts where key parts of the government sector are conflicted over their public health responsibilities, health sector engagement in partnership arrangements entails too many risks.

Alon I; Fetscherin M; Johnson JP. An integrated framework for export competitiveness: Evidence from the global alcoholic beverages industry. European Journal of International Management 5(2): 99-121, 2011. (46 refs.)

Participation in international trade is a key indicator of an industry's competitiveness. This study presents a framework for measuring the export competitiveness of an industry across countries that takes into account (a) industry specialisation, measured by the revealed comparative advantage, (b) industry export growth rate and (c) relative industry size. The framework is applied to the alcoholic beverages industry using data from the top 30 exporters of alcoholic beverages over a five-year period (2001-2005). The results indicate that the alcohol beverage export market is dynamic and changing, and that export competitiveness varies by country according to the sub-sector of the industry. A discussion of the application of the framework across industries and countries follows.

Anderson P. Global alcohol policy and the alcohol industry. Current Opinion in Psychiatry 22(3): 253-257, 2009. (38 refs.)

Purpose of review: The WHO is preparing its global strategy on alcohol, and, in so doing, has been asked to consult with the alcohol industry on ways it could contribute in reducing the harm done by alcohol. This review asks which is more effective in reducing harm: the regulatory approaches that the industry does not favour; or the educational approaches that it does favour. Recent findings: The current literature overwhelmingly finds that regulatory approaches (including those that manage the price, availability, and marketing of alcohol) reduce the risk of and the experience of alcohol-related harm, whereas educational approaches (including school-based education and public education campaigns) do not, with industry-funded education actually increasing the risk of harm. Summary: The alcohol industry should not be involved in making alcohol policy. Its involvement in implementing policy should be restricted to its role as a producer, distributor, and marketer of alcohol. In particular, the alcohol industry should not be involved in educational programmes, as such involvement could actually lead to an increase in harm.

Anderson P; Drummond C; Hellman M; Rosenqvist P. Introduction to the issue: The alcohol industry and alcohol policy. Addiction 104(Supplement 1): 1-2, 2009. (6 refs.)

Armstrong SC; Tsogtbaatar B. The dual nature of alcohol use and abuse in Mongolia: Reflections through policy. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 22(Supplement 3): 209S-215S, 2010. (16 refs.)

Alcohol abuse has become recognized by numerous organizations in Mongolia as one of their primary public health challenges. Despite the crisis of alcohol abuse in Mongolia, the dominance of narcology in shaping the health system's response has allowed the alcohol industry to control the debate. The Mongolian population largely interprets the World Health Organization's ( WHO) "standard drink" as a consumption guideline rather than a measure of abuse. In addition, the focus on high levels of dependence, as defined by narcology, has allowed the WHO to officially write off the problem, stating that less than 1% of the adult population can be categorized as "alcoholics." As the government focuses on new policy-based approaches to the issue, the rhetoric undermines participation and support, while the industry finds new ways to learn from narcology in their efforts to grow. However, by reinvesting profits from alcohol and a public health-focused approach, solutions can be found.

Ashok PC; Praveen BB; Dholakia K. Near infrared spectroscopic analysis of single malt Scotch whisky on an optofluidic chip. Optics Express 19(23): 22982-22992, 2011. (25 refs.)

Standardization and quality monitoring of alcoholic beverages is an important issue in the liquor production industry. Various spectroscopic techniques have proved useful for tackling this problem. An ideal sensing device for alcoholic beverages should be able to detect the quality of alcohol with a small amount of sample at a low acquisition time using a portable and easy to use device. We propose the use of near infra-red spectroscopy on an optofluidic chip for quality monitoring of single malt Scotch whisky. This is chip upon which we have previously realized waveguide confined Raman spectroscopy. Analysis on this alignment-free, portable chip may be performed in only 2 seconds with a sample volume of only 20 mu l. Using a partial least square (PLS) calibration, we demonstrate that the alcohol content in the beverage may be predicted to within a 1% prediction error. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed for successful classification of whiskies based upon their age, type and cask. The prospect of implementing an optofluidic analogue of a conventional fiber based spectroscopic probe allows a rapid analysis of alcoholic beverages with dramatically reduced sample volumes.

Babor T; Miller P; Edwards G. Vested interests, addiction research and public policy. (editorial). Addiction 105(1): 4-5, 2010. (12 refs.)

Babor TF. Alcohol research and the alcoholic beverage industry: Issues, concerns and conflicts of interest. (review). Addiction 104(Supplement 1): 34-47, 2009. (59 refs.)

Using terms of justification such as 'corporate social responsibility' and 'partnerships with the public health community', the alcoholic beverage industry (mainly large producers, trade associations and 'social aspects' organizations) funds a variety of scientific activities that involve or overlap with the work of independent scientists. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the ethical, professional and scientific challenges that have emerged from industry involvement in alcohol science. Source material came from an extensive review of organizational websites, newspaper articles, journal papers, letters to the editor, editorials, books, book chapters and unpublished documents. Industry involvement in alcohol science was identified in seven areas: (i) sponsorship of research funding organizations; (ii) direct financing of university-based scientists and centers; (iii) studies conducted through contract research organizations; (iv) research conducted by trade organizations and social aspects/public relations organizations; (v) efforts to influence public perceptions of research, research findings and alcohol policies; (vi) publication of scientific documents and support of scientific journals; and (vii) sponsorship of scientific conferences and presentations at conferences. While industry involvement in research activities is increasing, it constitutes currently a rather small direct investment in scientific research, one that is unlikely to contribute to alcohol science, lead to scientific breakthroughs or reduce the burden of alcohol-related illness. At best, the scientific activities funded by the alcoholic beverage industry provide financial support and small consulting fees for basic and behavioral scientists engaged in alcohol research; at worst, the industry's scientific activities confuse public discussion of health issues and policy options, raise questions about the objectivity of industry-supported alcohol scientists and provide industry with a convenient way to demonstrate 'corporate responsibility' in its attempts to avoid taxation and regulation.

Babor TF. Towards a common standard for conflict of interest disclosure. (editorial). Addiction 104(11): 1777-1778, 2009. (10 refs.)

Bakke O; Endal D. Vested interests in addiction research and policy. Alcohol policies out of context: Drinks industry supplanting government role in alcohol policies in sub-Saharan Africa. Addiction 105(1): 22-28, 2010. (31 refs.)

Background: In this paper, we describe an analysis of alcohol policy initiatives sponsored by alcohol producer SAB Miller and the International Center on Alcohol Policies, an alcohol industry-funded organization. In a number of sub-Saharan countries these bodies have promoted a 'partnership' role with governments to design national alcohol policies. Methodology: A comparison was conducted of four draft National Alcohol Policy documents from Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda and Botswana using case study methods. Findings: The comparison indicated that the four drafts are almost identical in wording and structure and that they are likely to originate from the same source. Conclusions: The processes and the draft policy documents reviewed provide insights into the methods, as well as the strategic and political objectives of the multi-national drinks industry. This initiative reflects the industry's preferred version of a national alcohol policy. The industry policy vision ignores, or chooses selectively from, the international evidence base on alcohol prevention developed by independent alcohol researchers and disregards or minimizes a public health approach to alcohol problems. The policies reviewed maintain a narrow focus on the economic benefits from the trade in alcohol. In terms of alcohol problems (and their remediation) the documents focus upon individual drinkers, ignoring effective environmental interventions. The proposed policies serve the industry's interests at the expense of public health by attempting to enshrine 'active participation of all levels of the beverage alcohol industry as a key partner in the policy formulation and implementation process'.

Barry AE; Goodson P. Use (and Misuse) of the responsible drinking message in public health and alcohol advertising: A review. Health Education & Behavior 37(2): 288-303, 2010. (42 refs.)

The objective is to present a comparative analysis examining the alcohol industry's and scholarly researchers' use of the concept "responsible drinking." Electronic databases associated with health, education, sociology, psychology, and medicine were the date sources. Results: were limited to English, peer-reviewed articles and commentaries specifically addressing "responsible drinking." Search descriptors included responsible, responsibility, drinking, alcohol, brewer, and campaign. Eighteen articles constituted the final sample. The matrix method was utilized to organize and abstract pertinent information. Misunderstanding stemming from the inconsistency and counterintuitive nature of brewer-sponsored "responsible drinking" campaigns is further compounded by researchers' use of the term and concept of "responsible drinking" in their scholarly reports. In articulating the definition of "responsible drinking," researchers employ subjective notions and personal ideas, thus not differentiating the construct's meaning from the one acquired in brewer-sponsored campaigns. Researchers are consistently inconsistent when identifying specific health measures that promote and/or contradict responsible alcohol consumption. To evade the subjective notions of researchers and restrictive impressions attached by the alcohol industry, the manner in which individuals interpret, perceive, and practice responsible drinking must be systematically explored and examined using theoretically based constructs.

Bird MG. Alberta's and Ontario's liquor boards: Why such divergent outcomes? Canadian Public Administration 53(4): 509-530, 2010. (32 refs.)

The provinces of Alberta and Ontario have chosen very different methods to distribute alcoholic beverages: Alberta privatized the Alberta Liquor Control Board (ALCB) in 1993 and established a private market to sell beverage alcohol, while Ontario, in stark contrast, opted to retain and expand the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). This article examines the reasons for the divergent policy choices made by Ralph Klein and Mike Harris' Conservative governments in each province. The article draws on John Kingdon's "multiple streams decision-making model," to examine the mindsets of the key decision-makers, as well as "historical institutionalism," to organize the pertinent structural, historical and institutional variables that shaped the milieu in which decision-makers acted. Unique, province-specific political cultures, histories, institutional configurations (including the relative influence of a number of powerful actors), as well as the fact that the two liquor control boards were on opposing trajectories towards their ultimate fates, help to explain the different decisions made by each government. Endogenous preference construction in this sector, furthermore, implies that each system is able to satisfy all relevant stakeholders, including consumers.

Casswell S. Alcohol industry and alcohol policy -- the challenge ahead. (editorial). Addiction 104(Supplement 1): 3-5, 2009. (35 refs.)

Chikritzhs T. Protecting the integrity of shared scientific knowledge: Is the conflict of interest statement enough? Addiction 105(2): 201-201, 2010. (14 refs.)

Davies JB; Rotgers F. Disclosure in the best interests of science? Or moral crusade? (editorial). Addiction 104(11): 1787-1788, 2009. (7 refs.)

This is a commentary on an article by Groozner et al, (pps 1779-1784) advocating a common standard for addiction journals in reporting and considering disclosure of conflict of interests.

Doran CM; Digiusto E. Using taxes to curb drinking: A report card on the Australian government's alcopops tax. Drug and Alcohol Review 30(6): 677-680, 2011. (13 refs.)

Introduction and Aims. In 2008, the Australian government introduced an alcopops tax on spirit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to reduce alcohol consumption and particularly binge drinking by young people. Design and Methods. Data regarding sales of alcoholic beverages in Australia from 2004 to 2009 were used to examine the possible effects of the alcopops tax. In addition, population data were used to calculate and examine per capita consumption. Results. Various measures of consumption of wine-based RTDs, spirits, cider, wine and beer remained fairly stable or increased annually from 2004 to 2009. Consumption of spirit-based RTDs increased annually from 2004 to 2007, but then decreased in 2008 and 2009. Per capita alcohol consumption in terms of pure alcohol increased annually from 11.52 litres in 2004 to a peak of 11.79 litres in 2007, but then dropped to 11.55 litres and 11.41 litres in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Discussion and Conclusions. Consumption of spirit-based RTDs dropped and consumption of other alcoholic beverages increased following the introduction of the tax. The increased consumption of other alcoholic beverages could be interpreted as indicating that RTD drinkers switched to purchasing spirits or wine-based RTDs or cider. However, those increases could also be interpreted as a continuation of long-term trends rather than a 'substitution effect'. It is impossible to know how much of the changes were due to the tax, to the ` global financial crisis', to adaptive marketing by the alcohol industry, to the Government's national binge drinking strategy, to mass media coverage of these issues or to other factors.

Fam KS; Waller DS; Yang ZL. Addressing the advertising of controversial products in China: An empirical approach. Journal of Business Ethics 88(Supplement 1): 43-58, 2009. (83 refs.)

China is a country that has undertaken a great transformation since the late 1970's, and among these changes, has seen a massive growth in the advertising industry with the influx of foreign advertisers, and the development of regional and global media, such as satellite television and the Internet. This has resulted in the Chinese people of all ages having a greater opportunity of exposure to different types of advertising, including the advertising of potentially controversial products, which could clash with traditional Chinese values. Using a stakeholder theory approach, this study analyzes the responses of 630 Chinese respondents to discover who is offended by controversial advertisements and determine ways potentially offensive advertising messages can be reduced, thereby assisting marketers in being more socially responsible in their advertising messages.

Gil A; Polikina O; Koroleva N; Leon DA; McKee M. Alcohol policy in a Russian region: A stakeholder analysis. European Journal of Public Health 20(5): 588-594, 2010. (21 refs.)

Background: Male life expectancy in the Russian Federation, at 60 years, is the lowest in Europe. Several factors contribute to this situation, but hazardous consumption of alcohol is especially a key factor. Methods: We undertook a stakeholder analysis in a typical Russian region located on the western side of the Urals. Organizations with a stake in alcohol policy in the region were identified by snowball sampling and information on their position and influence on alcohol policy was elicited from interviews with key informants. Their interests and influence were mapped and their relationships plotted. Results: Twenty-nine stakeholder organizations were identified and 43 interviews were conducted with their staff. The most influential actors were the Federal and regional governments, large beer producers and manufacturers of strong alcohols. However, the majority of organizations that might be expected to play a role in developing or implementing alcohol control policies were almost entirely disengaged and fragmented. No evidence was found of an existing or emerging multi-sectoral coalition for developing alcohol policy to improve health. Organizations that might be expected to contribute to tackling hazardous drinking had little understanding of what might be effective. Conclusions: While stakeholders with an interest in maintaining or increasing alcohol consumption are engaged and influential, those who might seek to reduce it either take a very narrow perspective or are disengaged from the policy agenda. There is a need to mobilize actors who might contribute to effective policies while challenging those who can block them.

Gilmore AB; Savell E; Collin J. Public health, corporations and the New Responsibility Deal: Promoting partnerships with vectors of disease? (editorial). Journal of Public Health 33(1): 2-4, 2011. (33 refs.)

The products of tobacco, alcohol and food industries are responsible for a significant and growing proportion of the global burden of disease. Smoking and alcohol combined account for 12.5% of global deaths and 19.5% in high-income countries, while six diet-related risk factors account for 13.6 and 17.5% of deaths, respectively. Arguably the greatest challenge and opportunity for public health lies in reducing the contributions of tobacco use, unhealthy diet and harmful alcohol consumption to the rising global burden of non-communicable diseases. This demonstrates a pressing need to improve our understanding of how corporations contribute to this disease burden, both directly through the promotion of products damaging to health and indirectly through influence over public policy. The concept of an industrial epidemic-an epidemic emerging from the commercialization of potentially health-damaging products-lends itself to this purpose. Adapting traditional public health constructs, it identifies the role of the host (the consumer), agent (the product, e.g. cigarettes, alcohol), environment and, crucially, the disease vector (the corporation). The 'Public Health Responsibility Deal', on which, at the time of writing, limited details have emerged, is heavily reliant on the concept of corporate social responsibility, with a clear presumption in favour of partnerships and voluntary regulation. Businesses will reportedly be funding government campaigns in return for 'an expectation of non-regulatory approaches', with the Deal operationalized via five networks with heavy industry representation including from the food and alcohol sectors. The tobacco industry is excluded from participation under the Framework Convention on Tobacco (FCTC, WHO's first global public health treaty) requiring all 172 parties to the treaty, including the UK, to protect health policies 'from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.' However, the author is concerned that the tactics of the major food and alcohol companies closely mirror those of the tobacco industry.

Gmel G. The good, the bad and the ugly. (editorial). Addiction 105(2): 204-205, 2010. (9 refs.)

This is a commentary on "The alcohol industry and public interest science," by Stenius and Babor

Godlee F. Drinking at the last chance saloon. (editorial). British Medical Journal 340: e-article 394, 2010. (0 refs.)

Distinguished voices are lining up behind England's chief medical officer Liam Donaldson in support of a minimum price for alcohol. The BMJ supports calls for a minimum price on alcohol, as well as for a ban on alcohol advertising and sponsorship. It is evident that serious health and societal costs of alcohol misuse are best prevented through legislation on pricing and marketing. For obvious reasons the drinks industry is against this approach. It would like us to see alcohol misuse as a problem for individuals rather than society, and over the years it has successfully influenced government. In the first of our new Lobby Watch columns (doi:10.1136/bmj.b5659), there is examination of the Portman Group, a body funded entirely by drinks manufacturers whose stated aim is to promote social responsibility in the alcohol industry. The group has intervened at key stages in the debate on alcohol and public health: in 1994 it paid academics to write anonymous critiques of a World Health Organization report on alcohol controls, and in 2004 it was the only "alcohol misuse" group cited in the UK government's alcohol strategy. Home secretary Alan Johnson now admits that the voluntary code for alcohol retailers has failed and a mandatory code is needed. But he won't countenance an advertising and sponsorship ban, such as the one in France, or a minimum price, already successfully in place in Canada.

Goozner M; Caplan A; Moreno J; Kramer BS; Babor TF; Husser WC. A common standard for conflict of interest disclosure in addiction journals. Addiction 104(11): 1779-1784, 2009. (27 refs.)

This paper sets forth a common standard for conflict of interest disclosure. This common standard was drafted by the authors, following consultation with a multi-disciplinary group of journal editors, publishers, bioethicists and other academics. It is presented here for the benefit of authors, editorial managers, journal editors and peer reviewers to stimulate discussion and to provide guidance to authors in reporting real, apparent and potential conflicts of interest. It is particularly relevant to addiction specialty journals because of the potential conflicts of interest associated with funding from the alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceutical and gambling industries. Following an appropriate period of vetting the common standard within the scientific community, it is recommended that journal editors adopt journal policies and reporting procedures that are consistent across journals. [Note: There are several commentaries responding to this article.]

Gordon R. Alcohol marketing and youth drinking: A rejoinder to the alcohol industry. Alcohol and Alcoholism 46(4): 369-370, 2011. (23 refs.)

Gordon R. An audit of alcohol brand websites. Drug and Alcohol Review 30(6): 638-644, 2011. (36 refs.)

Introduction and Aims. The study investigated the nature and content of alcohol brand websites in the UK. Design and Methods. The research involved an audit of the websites of the 10 leading alcohol brands by sales in the UK across four categories: lager, spirits, Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages and cider/perry. Each site was visited twice over a 1-month period with site features and content recorded using a pro-forma. The content of websites was then reviewed against the regulatory codes governing broadcast advertising of alcohol. Results. It was found that 27 of 40 leading alcohol brands had a dedicated website. Sites featured sophisticated content, including sports and music sections, games, downloads and competitions. Case studies of two brand websites demonstrate the range of content features on such sites. A review of the application of regulatory codes covering traditional advertising found some content may breach the codes. Discussion and Conclusions. Study findings illustrate the sophisticated range of content accessible on alcohol brand websites. When applying regulatory codes covering traditional alcohol marketing channels it is apparent that some content on alcohol brand websites would breach the codes. This suggests the regulation of alcohol brand websites may be an issue requiring attention from policymakers. Further research in this area would help inform this process.

Hall W. What are the policy lessons of National Alcohol Prohibition in the United States, 1920-1933? (editorial). Addiction 105(7): 1164-1173, 2010. (53 refs.)

National alcohol prohibition in the United States between 1920 and 1933 is believed widely to have been a misguided and failed social experiment that made alcohol problems worse by encouraging drinkers to switch to spirits and created a large black market for alcohol supplied by organized crime. The standard view of alcohol prohibition provides policy lessons that are invoked routinely in policy debates about alcohol and other drugs. The alcohol industry invokes it routinely when resisting proposals to reduce the availability of alcohol, increase its price or regulate alcohol advertising and promotion. Advocates of cannabis law reform invoke it frequently in support of their cause. This paper aims: (i) to provide an account of alcohol prohibition that is more accurate than the standard account because it is informed by historical and econometric analyses; (ii) to describe the policy debates in the 1920s and 1930s about the effectiveness of national prohibition; and (iii) to reflect on any relevance that the US experience with alcohol prohibition has for contemporary policies towards alcohol. It is incorrect to claim that the US experience of National Prohibition indicates that prohibition as a means of regulating alcohol is always doomed to failure. Subsequent experience shows that partial prohibitions can produce substantial public health benefits at an acceptable social cost, in the absence of substantial enforcement.

Heath DB. Wanted: A broader view of alcohol studies. (editorial). Addiction 105(2): 203-203, 2010. (4 refs.)

This is a commentary on the influence of the beverage industry in research and policy. The author also notes that it is important to also conduct research on alcohol use beyond those with a problem with alcohol use.

Herrick C. Why we need to think beyond the 'industry' in alcohol research and policy studies. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 18(1): 10-15, 2011. (34 refs.)

The alcohol policy debate demands greater critical reflection on the complex and disaggregated nature of the alcohol industries in contrast to their frequent characterization as a coherent, monolithic and singular entity with a common goal. Such reflection is necessary in order to rethink the linked assumption that drinkers are vulnerable victims of the activities of industry and, in so doing, to start moving beyond the UK's current policy development impasse in creative and plausible ways.

Ipeaiyeda AR; Onianwa PC. Impact of brewery effluent on water quality of the Olosun river in Ibadan, Nigeria. Chemistry and Ecology 25(3): 189-204, 2009. (49 refs.)

There has been significant pollution of the Olosun river in Ibadan with untreated brewery effluent. The nature and extent of pollution resulting from effluent discharged into this river has not been fully investigated. This study investigated the impact of such effluents on the water quality of the Olosun river. Sampling points of river water included two upstream locations up to 100 m from the discharge point, the effluent discharge point and six points downstream. The Olosun river was sampled up to about 690 m downstream. Sampling of river water was carried out on a monthly basis between March 2001 to March 2002 and January 2004 to December 2004. The physico-chemical impact on the water quality downstream was indicated by reduced pH and dissolved oxygen. The levels of chloride, nitrate, ammonia, dissolved solids, turbidity and BOD were significantly high, arising from the inflow of brewery effluent. The brewery effluent significantly contributed to the levels of Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, Cu, Cd and Pb downstream such that they exceeded the freshwater and drinking water criteria. In addition, the overall concentrations of these heavy metals were well above the background concentration obtained at the upstream location. The levels of these indicator parameters responsible for this brewery effluent quality exceeded the effluent guideline for discharge into surface water. Thus, brewery effluent is among the major sources or factors responsible for river water quality deterioration.

Jernigan DH. The global alcohol industry: An overview. (review). Addiction 104(Supplement 1): 6-12, 2009. (40 refs.)

To describe the globalized sector of the alcoholic beverage industry, including its size, principal actors and activities. Market research firms and business journalism are the primary sources for information about the global alcohol industry, and are used to profile the size and membership of the three main industry sectors of beer, distilled spirits and wine. Branded alcoholic beverages are approximately 38% of recorded alcohol consumption world-wide. Producers of these beverages tend to be large multi-national corporations reliant on marketing for their survival. Marketing activities include traditional advertising as well as numerous other activities, such as new product development, product placement and the creation and promotion of social responsibility programs, messages and organizations. The global alcohol industry is highly concentrated and innovative. There is relatively little public health research evaluating the impact of its many marketing activities.

Jones SC; Gregory P. The impact of more visible standard drink labelling on youth alcohol consumption: Helping young people drink (ir)responsibly? Drug and Alcohol Review 28(3): 230-234, 2009. (20 refs.)

Introduction and Aims. In response to increasing concerns about excessive drinking among young people the Australian alcohol industry announced that it will introduce more visible standard drink labels. This study sought to examine whether young people use this information in a way that decreases, or increases, alcohol-related harms. Design and Methods. Six focus groups with students enrolled in an undergraduate university course in a large regional city in New South Wales, recruited by direct approach on the university grounds and via an online message posted on the university bulletin board. Results: The majority of the participants reported that they are aware of the existence of standard drink labelling; notice standard drink labels; and take these into account when choosing what to purchase. However, this was predominantly to help them choose the strongest drinks for the lowest cost. Discussion and Conclusions. This study provides initial evidence to support the view that standard drink labelling, in isolation of other modifications to product packaging and marketing, is likely to serve to further increase heavy drinking among young people.

Jones SC; Gregory P; Munro G. Adolescent and young adult perceptions of Australian alcohol advertisements. Journal of Substance Use 14(6): 335-352, 2009. (31 refs.)

There is substantial evidence that children and youth are exposed to and recall alcohol advertising, and increasing evidence of associations between liking alcohol advertisements and under-age drinking. Alcohol advertising in Australia, as in many industrialized countries, is subject to a self-regulatory code developed and administered by the alcohol industry. The purpose of the current study was to investigate young people's perceptions of the messages in recent alcohol advertisements and whether these perceptions support the industry view that self-regulation is effective in protecting young people from inappropriate messages about alcohol. Six print and six television advertisements were selected for the study, and 287 respondents aged 15-24 years viewed two alcohol advertisements (one print and one television) and completed a questionnaire immediately after viewing each advertisement. The respondents perceived messages in the advertisements regarding several social benefits of consuming alcohol, including that the advertised product would make them more sociable and outgoing, help them have a great time, help them fit in, help them feel more confident, help them feel less nervous, and help them succeed with the opposite sex. All of these messages transgress the terms of the self-regulatory code for alcohol advertising. There was also a strong association between emotional responses to the advertisements and stated intentions to try the advertised products.

Jones SC; Magee CA. Exposure to alcohol advertising and alcohol consumption among Australian adolescents. Alcohol and Alcoholism 46(5): 630-637, 2011. (42 refs.)

Aims: Underage drinking is a major problem in Australia and may be influenced by exposure to alcohol advertising. The objective of the present study was to collect data on 12-17 year old Australian adolescents' exposure to different types of alcohol advertising and examine the association between exposure to advertising and alcohol consumption. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1113 adolescents aged 12-17 years recruited with a variety of methods to gain a cross-section of participants across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales (including independent schools, mall intercepts and online). Participants answered a series of questions assessing adolescents' exposure to alcohol advertising across eight media (including television, Internet and point-of-sale). Alcohol consumption was assessed using three questions (initiation, recent consumption and frequency of consumption in the previous 12 months). Results: The majority indicated that they had been exposed to alcohol advertisements on television, in newspapers and magazines, on the Internet, on billboards/posters and promotional materials and in bottleshops, bars and pubs; exposure to some of these types of alcohol advertisements was associated with increased alcohol consumption, with differences by age and gender. Conclusion: The results are consistent with studies from other countries and suggest that exposure to alcohol advertisements among Australian adolescents is strongly associated with drinking patterns. Given current high levels of drinking among Australian youth, these findings suggest the need to address the high levels of young people's exposure to alcohol advertising.

Kypri K; Walsh RA; Sanson-Fisher RW. Australian universities' open door policies on alcohol industry research funding. (letter). Addiction 104(10): 1765-1767, 2009. (11 refs.)

Lachenmeier DW; Rehm J. Unrecorded alcohol: A threat to public health? (editorial). Addiction 104(6): 875-877, 2009. (20 refs.)

Lyons A; McNeill A; Gilmore I; Britton J. Alcohol imagery and branding, and age classification of films popular in the UK. International Journal of Epidemiology 40(5): 1411-1419, 2011. (51 refs.)

Background: Exposure to alcohol products in feature films is a risk factor for use of alcohol by young people. This study was designed to document the extent to which alcohol imagery and brand appearances occur in popular UK films, and in relation to British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) age ratings intended to protect children and young people from harmful imagery. Methods Alcohol appearances (classified as 'alcohol use, inferred alcohol use, other alcohol reference and alcohol brand appearances') were measured using 5-min interval coding of 300 films, comprising the 15 highest grossing films at the UK Box Office each year over a period of 20 years from 1989 to 2008. Results: At least one alcohol appearance occurred in 86% of films, at least one episode of alcohol branding in 35% and nearly a quarter (23%) of all intervals analysed contained at least one appearance of alcohol. The occurrence of 'alcohol use and branded alcohol appearances' was particularly high in 1989, but the frequency of these and all other appearance categories changed little in subsequent years. Most films containing alcohol appearances, including 90% of those including 'alcohol brand appearances', were rated as suitable for viewing by children and young people. The most frequently shown brands were American beers: Budweiser, Miller and Coors. Alcohol appearances were similarly frequent in films originating from the UK, as from the USA. Conclusion: Alcohol imagery is extremely common in all films popular in the UK, irrespective of BBFC age classification. Given the relationship between exposure to alcohol imagery in films and use of alcohol by young people, we suggest that alcohol imagery should be afforded greater consideration in determining the suitability of films for viewing by children and young people.

Mart SM. Alcohol marketing in the 21st Century: New methods, old problems. Substance Use & Misuse 46(7): 889-892, 2011. (19 refs.)

Marketing and advertising for alcoholic beverages is abundant throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Despite the fact that alcohol advertising is related to earlier initiation of drinking, higher rates of consumption, and positive expectancies among youth populations, alcohol companies continue to design new products and related campaigns with youth-friendly attributes. Alcopops and caffeinated alcoholic beverages are two particularly dangerous types of products, and new social networking technologies make direct promotion easy and voluminous. In order to stop the harm from these alcohol products and promotion, advocacy from the research community is imperative.

Miller D; Harkins C. Corporate strategy, corporate capture: Food and alcohol industry lobbying and public health. Critical Social Policy 30(4): 564-589, 2010. (85 refs.)

This article examines two industry sectors those making and selling fast food and alcoholic beverages or associated products. We examine their role in influencing policy and decision making on the regulation of their products for health reasons. We argue that the food and alcohol industries engage in a very wide range of tactics and strategies to defend and indeed to promote their 'licence to operate'. We focus in on a specific component of these by examining public relations and lobbying strategies and their impacts on elite decision makers. We suggest that lobbying influence is a matter of both communication and action. We go on to outline the vertical and horizontal differentiation of lobbying strategies arguing that policy capture is the ultimate goal of lobbying, though influence is pursued by wide-ranging strategies to capture various arenas of decision making. We examine four key arenas; science, civil society, the media and policy, closing with an examination of two cases of the so-called 'partnership' model of governance.

Miller P; Kypri K. Why we will not accept funding from Drinkwise. (editorial). Drug and Alcohol Review 28(3): 324-326, 2009. (14 refs.)

Miller PG; de Groot F; McKenzie S; Droste N. Vested interests in addiction research and policy: Alcohol industry use of social aspect public relations organizations against preventative health measures. Addiction 106(9): 1560-1567, 2011. (40 refs.)

Aim: It has been proposed that alcohol industry 'social aspects/public relations' organizations (SAPROs) serve the agenda of lending credibility to industry claims of corporate responsibility while promoting ineffective industry-friendly interventions (such as school-based education or TV advertising campaigns) and creating doubt about interventions which have a strong evidence base (such as higher taxes on alcoholic beverages). This paper investigated whether submissions to Australia's National Preventative Health Taskforce (NPHT) from alcohol industry bodies regarding the Australian SAPRO, Drinkwise, have used this organization to demonstrate corporate responsibility while promoting industry-friendly interventions. Method: Submissions to the Australian National Preventative Health Taskforce (NPHT) discussion paper Australia, the healthiest country by 2020 (n = 375) were examined to identify those with primary alcohol content. A thematic analysis of the resulting 33 submissions was conducted to determine which organization, institution or individual discussed Drinkwise. Setting: Australia. Findings Nine of the 33 submissions discussed Drinkwise; all were submitted by the alcohol industry or its affiliates. Every industry submission referred to Drinkwise either as providing evidence of social responsibility or by suggesting the industry-friendly actions of Drinkwise as alternatives to those recommended by the NPHT report. Conclusions: Drinkwise has been used by the alcohol industry to create an impression of social responsibility while promoting interventions that maintain profits and campaigning against effective interventions such as higher taxes on alcohol.

Naimi TS. The cost of alcohol and its corresponding taxes in the U.S:. A massive public subsidy of excessive drinking and alcohol industries. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 41(5): 546-547, 2011. (8 refs.)

The cost-per-drink metric facilitates a comparison with current alcohol taxes, which can be derived on a per-drink basis. This, highlights perhaps the most important contribution of this study, which is to illustrate the gross disparity that exists between the cost of alcohol consumption and its taxes. Based on federal tax rates for standard alcohol beverage categories (5% alcohol-by-volume [ABV] beer; 12% ABV wine; and 40% ABV liquor), and after weighting those taxes on the basis of beverage-specific consumption in the U.S. and standard drink size (14 g of ethanol per drink), the average federal tax in the U.S. is approximately 8.5 cents per drink. Further, since federal alcohol taxes are based on a fixed amount per volume of alcohol, they continuously erode as a result of inflation. For example, the federal beer tax has declined by 41% in real terms since it was last adjusted in 1991. Historically, alcohol taxes accounted for approximately 40% of federal revenues; they now account for less than 0.5% of revenue. States typically have substantially lower taxes on alcohol than does the federal government (approximately 5 cents per drink). Moreover, although these state taxes are enacted primarily through volume-based excise taxes (similar to federal taxes), in some cases they include ad valorem taxes (alcohol-specific taxes based on a percentage of the price) or general sales taxes. In Massachusetts, my home state, the weighted average tax per drink is only 2.6 cents,4 which is levied in the form of volume-based excise taxes. In addition, as in a number of other states, alcohol is not subject to the state's 6.25% sales tax or any ad valorem taxes, meaning that alcohol is taxed far less than items such as durable medical equipment, automobiles, or other general merchandise. The study's estimated $1.90 cost per drink in 2006 has increased to $2.13 per drink in 2011, after adjustment for inflation. Because federal plus state taxes are (and were) approximately 14 cents per drink, this is a current disparity between cost and tax of approximately $2 per drink. In addition, this study found that 41.5% of costs were incurred by drinkers themselves, meaning that 58.5% of costs (or approximately $1.25 per drink in 2011 and $1.11 in 2006) were external to drinkers, a disparity of $1.11 per drink for external costs in 2011 and $0.97 per drink in 2006. Therefore, in 2006 alone, the 117.4 billion standard drinks consumed in the U.S. resulted in $113.9 billion in net (i.e., un-recouped) external costs that accrued to the general public; for comparison, this was almost half the size of the federal budget deficit that year.

Nelson JP. Alcohol marketing, adolescent drinking and publication bias in longitudinal studies: A critical survey using meta-analysis. Journal of Economic Surveys 25(2): 191-232, 2011. (85 refs.)

This paper presents a meta-analysis of prospective cohort (longitudinal) studies of alcohol marketing and adolescent drinking, which accounts for publication bias. The paper provides a summary of 12 primary studies of the marketing-drinking relationship. Each primary study surveyed a sample of youth to determine baseline drinking status and marketing exposure, and re-surveyed the youth to determine subsequent drinking outcomes. Logistic analyses provide estimates of the odds ratio for effects of baseline marketing variables on adolescent drinking at follow-up. Using meta-regression analysis, two samples are examined in this paper: 23 effect-size estimates for drinking onset (initiation); and 40 estimates for other drinking behaviours (frequency, amount, bingeing). Marketing variables include ads in mass media, promotion portrayals, brand recognition and subjective evaluations by survey respondents. Publication bias is assessed using funnel plots that account for 'missing' studies, bivariate regressions and multivariate meta-regressions that account for primary study heterogeneity, heteroskedasticity, data dependencies, publication bias and truncated samples. The empirical results are consistent with publication bias, omitted variable bias in some studies, and lack of a genuine effect, especially for mass media. The paper also discusses 'dissemination bias' in the use of research results by primary investigators and health policy interest groups.

Obot IS. Disclosing conflicts of interest: Common standards in uncommon contexts. (editorial). Addiction 104(11): 1786-1787, 2009. (5 refs.)

O'Brien KS; Miller PG; Kolt GS; Martens MP; Webber A. Alcohol industry and non-alcohol industry sponsorship of sportspeople and drinking. Alcohol and Alcoholism 46(2): 210-213, 2011. (33 refs.)

Aims: To examine the relationship between direct alcohol and non-alcohol sponsorship and drinking in Australian sportspeople. Methods: Australian sportspeople (N = 652; 51% female) completed questionnaires on alcohol and non-alcohol industry sponsorship (from bars, cafes etc.), drinking behaviour (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)) and known confounders. Results: 31% reported sponsorship (29.8% alcohol industry; 3.7% both alcohol and non-alcohol industry and 1.5% non-alcohol industry only) Multivariate regression showed that receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship was predictive of higher AUDIT scores (beta(adj) = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56-2.78), but non-alcohol industry sponsorship and combinations of both were not (beta(adj) = 0.18, 95% CI: -2.61 to 2.68; and beta(adj) = 2.58, 95% CI: -0.60 to 5.76, respectively). Conclusion: Governments should consider alternatives to alcohol industry sponsorship of sport. Hypothecated taxes on tobacco have been used successfully for replacing tobacco sponsorship of sport in some countries, and may show equal utility for the alcohol industry's funding of sport.

Rasco ET. A comparative assessment of indigenous vodka production from fermented nipa sap in Camarines Norte and Butuan City, Philippines. Asia Life Sciences 19(1): 169-182, 2010. (11 refs.)

Nipa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.), a mangrove palm found in many coastal areas of the Philippines, is known to be 3-4 times more productive than sugar cane in producing alcohol. However, the level of its current utilization for this purpose is very low and confined to a few isolated places. The main product using a highly variable traditional technology is "nipa vodka", a clear alcoholic drink with 30-40% alcohol. Nipa vodka is obtained from distillation of fermented sap collected from the cut stalk of semi-mature fruit heads. The paper describes and comparatively analyzes the traditional practices used by nipa vodka producers in Vinzons, Camarines Norte and Butuan City. The main differences between the techniques used in the locations studied are: (a) sap collection in Butuan City uses close bamboo tubes that are less exposed to the environment; in Vinzons, bamboo tubes are open at the top; (b) the distillation set-up in Vinzons uses a condenser that is cooled by a continuously flowing water; in Butuan City, the condenser is cooled by water that is replaced in batches as it warms; (c) heat loss is better controlled in Butuan City because of the use of a wooden distilling column and an enclosed furnace. Recommendations are offered to improve the quality of the toddy, reduce vapor and heat losses during distillation, improve the recovery of alcohol and develop a set of good manufacturing practices for vodka production.

Room R. The long reaction against the wowser: The prehistory of alcohol deregulation in Australia. Health Sociology Review 19(2): 151-163, 2010. (36 refs.)

The cultural and historical background of the substantial deregulation of alcohol sales in Australia in the last quarter century is described and discussed. Drinking and intoxication was contested ground in Australian history, stereotypically split between the heavy-drinking male world of primary industries and the more feminine world of the suburb. In the temperance era of the late 19th and early 20th century, restrictions on alcohol sales gained ground, epitomised by six o'clock closing adopted during World War I. Alcohol's cultural position shifted after World War II: alcohol problems were redefined in terms of alcoholism, a personal failing, and a cultural-political movement led by the Sydney Bulletin led a successful cultural-political movement to caricature and derogate 'wowsers'. Meanwhile, the alcohol industry moved to identify itself with high-valued features of Australian life. By the 1960s, a dynamic of relaxation of alcohol controls had started, starting with repeal of six o'clock closing and continuing to the present day.

Sass J. Supporting the need for rigorous enforceable disclosure policies for scientific journals. (editorial). Addiction 104(11): 1788-1789, 2009. (11 refs.)

Smith RC; Geller ES. Marketing and alcohol-related traffic fatalities: Impact of alcohol advertising targeting minors. Journal of Safety Research 40(5): 359-364, 2009. (35 refs.)

Problem: Alcohol-related youth traffic fatalities continue as a major public-health concern. While state and federal laws can be useful in tackling this problem, the efficacy of many laws has not been empirically demonstrated. We examined the impact of state laws prohibiting alcohol advertising to target minors. Method: Using statistics obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), youth alcohol-related, single-vehicle, driver traffic fatalities were compared by state as a function of whether the state has a law prohibiting alcohol advertising that targets minors. Results: Overall, states possessing this law experienced 32.9% fewer of the above specified traffic fatalities. Discussion and Impact on Industry: The results suggest that not only are youth drinking rates affected by alcohol advertisements targeting youth, but also drink-driving behaviors. Indeed, we estimate that if this type of legislation were adopted in the 26 states that do not prohibit targeting of minors with alcohol advertising, then 400 youth lives could be saved annually.

Sohrabvandi S; Mousavi SM; Razavi SH; Mortazavian AM; Rezaei K. Alcohol-free beer: Methods of production, sensorial defects, and healthful effects. (review). Food Reviews International 26(4): 335-352, 2010. (96 refs.)

Beer is a universally popular beverage, consumed worldwide. Recently, the beer market is witnessing a significant increase in the consumption of low- and non-alcoholic beer. This is mainly due to health reasons, safety reasons in the workplace or on the roads, and strict social regulations. Also, there are countries where alcohol consumption is completely forbidden by law. Consumers in such conditions are willing to consume products as close as possible to the conventional types, from a sensory point of view (especially flavor characteristics). However, non-alcoholic beer suffers from artificial and dull flavor as well as improper body and foaming properties. Therefore, production of alcohol-free beer with satisfactory organoleptic characteristics that can be compared with conventional beers has recently given rise to increased technological and economic interest. In this article, methods of production of alcohol-free beer (and to some extent, low-alcohol beer), its sensory characteristics as well as its health-related aspects are reviewed.

Stanley F; Daube M. Should industry care for children? Public health advocacy and law in Australia. Public Health 123(3): 283-286, 2009. (12 refs.)

This paper uses examples to illustrate the challenges to health and law professionals interested in public health interventions to reduce the negative impact of companies making money by selling products that put Children and Young people at risk. Examples included are folate to prevent neural tube defects, with issues around the food industry attempting to block mandatory fortification Of flour With folate; fetal alcohol syndrome and hazardous drinking in young people, with a focus on the actions of the alcohol industry including vendors: smoking and the ways in which the tobacco industry still target children: and childhood obesity, with problems again from the food and drink industries including vendors.

Stenius K; Babor TF. The alcohol industry and public interest science. Addiction 105(2): 191-198, 2010. (38 refs.)

Aims: This report argues that the growing involvement of the alcohol industry in scientific research needs to be acknowledged and addressed. It suggests a set of principles to guide ethical decision-making in the future. Methods: We review relevant issues with regard to relationships between the alcohol industry and the international academic community, especially alcohol research scientists. The guiding principles proposed are modelled after expert committee statements, and describe the responsibilities of governmental agencies, the alcohol industry, journal editors and the academic community. These are followed by recommendations designed to inform individuals and institutions about current 'best practices' that are consistent with the principles. Findings and conclusions: Growing evidence from the tobacco, pharmaceutical and medical fields suggests that financial interests of researchers may compromise their professional judgement and lead to research results that are biased in favour of commercial interests. It is recommended that the integrity of alcohol science is best served if all financial relationships with the alcoholic beverage industry are avoided. In cases where research funding, consulting, writing assignments and other activities are initiated, institutions, individuals and the alcoholic beverage industry itself are urged to follow appropriate guidelines that will increase the transparency and ethicality of such relationships.

Sugarman S. No more business as usual: Enticing companies to sharply lower the public health costs of the products they sell. Public Health 123(3): 275-279, 2009. (22 refs.)

Cigarettes, alcohol, junk food and motor vehicles cause a staggeringly high level of death, injury and disease. Business leaders from the industries that make these products currently try to frame these negative outcomes as 'collateral damage' that is someone else's problem. That framing is not only morally objectionable, but also overlooks the possibility that, with proper prodding, industry could substantially mitigate these public health disasters. A promising regulatory tool called 'performance-based regulation' is a new approach to combating the problem. Simply put, performance-based regulation would impose a legal obligation on manufacturers to reduce their negative social costs. Rather than suing the firms for damages, or telling them how they should run their businesses differently (as typical 'command and control' regimes do), performance-based regulation allows the firms to determine how best to decrease today's negative public health consequences. Like other public health strategies, performance-based regulation shifts the focus away from individual consumers on to those who are far more likely to achieve real public health gains. Analogous to a tax on causing harm that exceeds a threshold level, performance-based regulation seeks to harness private initiative in pursuit of the public good.

Sung YJ; de Gregorio F; Jung JH. Non-student consumer attitudes towards product placement: Implications for public policy and advertisers. International Journal of Advertising 28(2): 257-285, 2009. (70 refs.)

Over the years, the practice of placing branded products within films has gained popularity worldwide. Concomitantly with its popularity have come increasing concerns over its effects on public well-being among various groups. By surveying a US sample of 3,340 non-students, the current study provides a more accurate picture of attitudes towards product placement in films. Findings suggest that non-students are more neutral towards the practice than students, and that consumers are positively disposed towards product placement, value the realism that placement brings, and do not perceive the practice as unethical or misleading. Results also indicate a diverse pattern of differences in perception across demographic groups, little perceived need for governmental regulation of product placement and that the only situation for which consumers would desire regulation is for the placement of ethically charged products having a significant proportion of non-adult audience members. Implications for advertisers and policy-makers are discussed.

West R. Conflict of interest declarations: Could a 'traffic light' system work? (commentary). Addiction 104(11): 1785-1786, 2009. (1 refs.)

This commentary is a response to a an article by Goozer et al in this issue proposing a common standard for addiction journals in respect to conflict of interest disclosure. While noting that many of the suggestions are valuable, it is noted that some might be seen as creating an unnecessary and unacceptable burden. The "traffic signal" metaphor is used to indicate potential sources of bias. Simply by way of example, the following are seen as "red" indicators, although journals might differ in how each chooses to respond, be it disclosure or a decision not to publish: 1 Any receipt of funds (e.g. through employment, shares, fees, research grants) within the past 5 years from an interested party (IP). An IP is a company/industry with any financial interest in the topic of study (TOS), or an organization acting as an agent for such a company/industry in any capacity (e.g. lobbying, 'watchdog', media relations, distributing research funds); 2 Any strong religious beliefs or values directly relating to the TOS; 3 Ownership of patents, copyrights or businesses relating to the TOS, the financial gain from which could be influenced by the conclusions drawn; and 4 Grievance against, family tie with, close friendship with or close working relationship with one or more individuals who have a direct personal interest in the TOS (e.g. author of a paper being reviewed)

Zeigler DW. The alcohol industry and trade agreements: A preliminary assessment. (review). Addiction 104(Supplement 1): 13-26, 2009. (102 refs.)

To review trade agreements, their relation to alcohol control policy and examine the role of the alcohol industry in supporting and attempting to influence trade policy. Review of peer review, public health advocacy literature (both pro and con on free trade), business, press and government documents on trade agreements, assess current and potential challenges by trade agreements to alcohol control policy and investigate the means and extent of industry influence in trade agreements. 'Free' trade agreements reduce trade barriers, increase competition, lower prices and promote alcohol consumption. However, international treaties, negotiated by free trade experts in close consultation with corporate lobbyists and without significant, if any, public health input, governments and corporations contain significant provisions that will result in increased alcohol consumption and may challenge public health measures of other nations as constraints on trade. Conversely, alcohol control measures seek to reduce access and consumption, raise prices and restrict advertising and product promotion. The prospect is for increased alcohol consumption and concomitant problems throughout the world. Trade agreements challenge effective alcohol control policies. The alcohol industry seeks to influence agreements and can be expected to work through trade agreements to reduce tariffs, increase market access and seek to restrict effective domestic regulations. Further research is needed on the impact of trade agreements and the ongoing role of the industry. Advocates must recognize the inherent conflicts between unbridled free trade and public health, work to exclude alcohol from trade agreements, counter industry influence and protect alcohol control policies.