Finding Allies, Growing the Movement
An effective alcohol policy movement will require an enormous, sustained commitment and targeted effort to improve public health. This requires a coordinated approach by advocates and partners beyond those normally engaged with alcohol.
Allies and partners who support these policies should not be difficult to find because the harmful use of alcohol has consequences that touch a myriad of issues, from cancer to violence to economic development. Notably, those engaged in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB, violence, substance abuse and mental illness should be engaged.
Tailored Messages
Who to Engage
1.
Civil society: International, national and local NGOs
Alcohol use is a growing problem globally with an enormous health, social and economic burden and must be high on the priority agenda.
National, international and sub-regional organizations should advocate for governments to enact comprehensive plans of action and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
Who to Engage
2.
Government and
elected officials
Tailored Messages
The prevention and reduction of the harmful use of alcohol provides an important opportunity for improving health and social well-being, nationally and globally, including achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Governments should recognize the scope of alcohol’s harms nationally and enact evidence-based public health policies that protect the health of their citizens, reduce the burden of related disease and disability, and address the social and economic problems associated with alcohol. Governments should regulate alcohol price, availability and marketing, to reduce harmful use and avoid the targeting of children.
Who to Engage
3.
Health professionals: Physicians, public and mental health practitioners, substance use counselors
Tailored Messages
Alcohol policy improves the health of individuals and populations.
In addition to providing screening, preventive services and brief interventions, health professionals can be powerful advocates for prevention policies.
Who to Engage
4.
Public safety: Police, justice, road safety and fire officials and emergency responders
Tailored Messages
Alcohol policy reduces crashes, injuries, interpersonal violence and death
By enforcing and championing policies to limit drink-driving and supporting alcohol policy Best Buys, public safety officials can reduce the negative consequences of alcohol intoxication and reduce alcohol-related violence, injuries and road deaths.
Who to Engage
5.
Educators
Tailored Messages
Education about the harms of alcohol and an understanding of industry tactics are key to its control.
Education and policy should be based on independent, evidence-based material, free from conflicts of interest.
Educators are often “first responders” in discovering children suffering from parental alcohol problems and have a crucial role to play in prevention and early interventions of abuse.
Despite the existence of substantial evidence about the burden and harms of alcohol, there is a desperate need to raise public awareness. Information that increases knowledge can change attitudes and behaviors related to harmful use.
Who to Engage
6.
Community partners: Women’s, parents’ and religious groups
Tailored Messages
Alcohol policy requires community leadership, action, communication and commitment.
Joint efforts to prevent alcohol harm make communities more inclusive and resilient.
There is an urgent need for leaders to champion alcohol policy across communities in order to support local initiatives that seek to prevent and reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
Who to Engage
7.
Economic Development: Tax, trade and employment officials
Tailored Messages
Alcohol policy is good for employment, productivity and a country’s GDP.
Whether young people beginning alcohol consumption for the first time or heavy users in middle age, consumers are sensitive to the price of alcohol. Fiscal policies, such as taxes on alcohol, reduce the economic cost of alcohol-related harm to society and increase economic productivity. Revenue can be used for public health purposes.