Alcohol industry and related vested interest
Global alcohol producers and their global brands of beer, spirits and wine are expanding to every corner of the world, searching for growth in emerging markets that are key to maximizing future profits. The enormous market power exercised by those global companies easily translates into political power on the state and global levels. That power may be a formidable force impeding progress in the fight to reduce and prevent NCD. As WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan said at the Health for All Conference in Helsinki in 2013, “Efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases go against the business interests of powerful economic operators. In my view, this is one of the biggest challenges facing health promotion.”
Global Fund Suspends Partnership with Heineken
The Global Fund has suspended its partnership with the beer company Heineken. “It is based on recent reports of the company’s use of female beer promoters in ways that expose them to sexual exploitation and health risks”, explains the Fund in a brief press statement.
Norway objects to Global Fund-Heineken deal
Norwegian board member, Jon Lomøy, in the Global Fund states that Norway cannot support the recently announced partnership between the Fund and Heineken. The statement follows a joint open letter to the Global Fund urging it to end the Heineken deal.
Public health advocates urge Global Fund to end Heineken partnership
Concerned over a new partnership between the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and Heineken, three public health networks have recently sent an open joint letter to the Global Fund. They point out the dangers inherent in partnerships with the producers and marketers of hazardous products such as alcohol.
David vs Goliath:
Civil society partnership gets SAB to withdraw "Beers for Africa"
The South African beer company SAB planned to sell more beer by granting parts of the profits to the fight against hunger in Africa. “A good idea to support the work against hunger, but a bad idea to raise the money through increased alcohol consumption”, responded civil society organisations. Also this time Goliath was beaten by David. SAB has pulled back.
Still time to register
GAPC2017 to focus on mobilising for change
The Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Melbourne, Australia is one month away. Starting 4 October, the conference’s theme of “Mobilising for Change – Alcohol policy and the evidence for action” builds on earlier conferences’ translation of evidence into action and recognises the increasing momentum around the world to stop harm caused by alcohol.
Current controls on alcohol marketing are not protecting youth, warn public health experts
Leading public health experts warn that youth around the world are exposed to extensive alcohol marketing. Current controls on that marketing appear ineffective in blocking the association between youth exposure and subsequent drinking. This is documented in a Supplement of the prestigious scientific journal Addiction.
New study published:
Alcohol marketing in Africa violates industry’s own marketing codes
More than a fourth of all monitored alcohol advertisements violated the industry’s own marketing codes, concludes a study covering seven African countries. Stronger government regulation of alcohol marketing is needed.
Norwegian NGO campaign: Divest from the alcohol industry
The Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global has invested around 10 billion US Dollars in multinational alcohol corporations. “This has to stop”, is the message from a campaign by Norwegian civil society organisations that was launched in Oslo yesterday. The main claim of the campaign is that investing in alcohol companies is incompatible with the overarching goals of Norwegian development and foreign policies.
Alcohol industry afraid of losing their health image, adopts new and offensive strategies.
The alcohol industry is afraid of losing their health image,WHO health initiatives make them fear for their lives and they intercept national policies to protect their own interests. This is documented in an in-depth article in the Wall Street Journal.
Big alcohol in the search light
A worldwide network of NGOs has got together to expose big alcohol. Alcohol industry targeting of children and youth is a particular focus.
