The UK Department of Health recognised in its 2008 report that
"Health is global", and UK health policy can not be addressed in isolation
from the rest of the world.
The effect of alcohol on ethnic minorities has been highlighted, but
should we also be aware of the potential effects of an alcohol ban on
people living in other countries? Whilst the UK and much of Europe has
some success in reducing tobacco consumption, we see tobacco consumption
increasing at a fast rate in developing countries such as China.
Authors recognise the need for a global strategy on alcohol as
advertisements can reach UK from abroad, but a global strategy is also
needed to avoid simply deflecting corporate advertising and sales from the
UK to countries that have even fewer resources to tackle the social,
environmental and health problems that alcohol can cause.
Corporations have creative strategies, and profit is their
prerogative. The response to protect health will need to be equally
creative, looking to neutralise threats to health and society. Individuals
make decisions about alcohol use due to cultural, social and environmental
pressures and preferences, all of which are vastly swayed by powerful
profit-driven advertising.
Addressing the problems of alcohol use and misuse requires strategies
to protect individuals and societies across globe from the alcohol
industry's unhealthy messages.
Rapid Response:
Alcohol is global; As is the alcohol industry
The UK Department of Health recognised in its 2008 report that
"Health is global", and UK health policy can not be addressed in isolation
from the rest of the world.
The effect of alcohol on ethnic minorities has been highlighted, but
should we also be aware of the potential effects of an alcohol ban on
people living in other countries? Whilst the UK and much of Europe has
some success in reducing tobacco consumption, we see tobacco consumption
increasing at a fast rate in developing countries such as China.
Authors recognise the need for a global strategy on alcohol as
advertisements can reach UK from abroad, but a global strategy is also
needed to avoid simply deflecting corporate advertising and sales from the
UK to countries that have even fewer resources to tackle the social,
environmental and health problems that alcohol can cause.
Corporations have creative strategies, and profit is their
prerogative. The response to protect health will need to be equally
creative, looking to neutralise threats to health and society. Individuals
make decisions about alcohol use due to cultural, social and environmental
pressures and preferences, all of which are vastly swayed by powerful
profit-driven advertising.
Addressing the problems of alcohol use and misuse requires strategies
to protect individuals and societies across globe from the alcohol
industry's unhealthy messages.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests