ICPHSP1005 

                                                                                                         

“Alcohol Policies and Public Health”                                                                                                                                                     Click here to download Pdf file.

 

 

Author:       Iannis A. Mouzas, Associated Professor,

 

 

Affiliation:  Multidisciplinary Alcohology Center, Medical School, University of Crete Alcohology Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital, Heraklion, Greece

 

 

Abstract:

Alcohol policies may better serve the public good when we know which strategies, when  and why are more effective in terms of public health. Strengths and weaknesses of different policy approaches should be analyzed according to effectiveness, body of evidence supporting the different policies and if the policies have been tested in different cultural milieus. Policies developed to deal with alcohol related problems are multiple and heterogeneous. They range from simple therapeutic interventions in persons with alcohol related problems to organized community interventions affecting availability and accessibility of alcohol. Among strategies for reducing alcohol consumption taxing is a very effective one as evidenced by vast research. There is however a disadvantage in alcohol taxing as a prevention strategy in some communities: illicit alcohol market may influence consumption towards harmful alcohol beverages. By restricting the availability and convenience of use of alcohol beverages in terms of time, space and by implementing a legal purchase age, policymakers may reduce alcohol related intoxication and, in general, alcohol related problems. Law enforcement of drink-driving countermeasures, for example random alcohol breath testing in the national road networks and immediate sanctions in case of positive testing are well documented interventions to prevent alcohol related road accidents.

 

Educational intervention programs in primary schools are still effective ways for reducing alcohol related harm if they are combined with intensive community prevention strategies and are repeated in constant time intervals. Main drawbacks of alcohol policies today are: fragmentation of implemented measures, improper co-ordination among administration structures in many countries. Greater integration and co-ordination of alcohol policies result in greater effectiveness in preventing alcohol related problems.

 

Countries with low income that are under economic development constitute a special case. Evidence shows that with rising per capita income and increased alcohol availability, alcohol consumption –and alcohol related problems, as a direct result- are more likely to increase. More difficulties in handling this special situation in growing economies arise from global trade agreements that tend to undo existing restrictions in the availability and accessibility of alcohol. In such countries, alcohol policymaking needs local research for assessment of the own alcohol policies and their particularities. International collaboration, sharing of good practices and implementation of the WHO initiatives on reducing alcohol related harm are important opportunities for countries with growing economies in order to prevent effectively alcohol related problems in their citizens.

 

 

Keywords:

Alcohol policies, public health, taxing.