Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30

The Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30 (GAAP) represents an important milestone in policy implementation at the global level on alcohol and health. There has, however, been little attention paid to the GAAP in the research literature. With a focus on the alcohol industry, this analysis examines the...

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Main Authors: Jim McCambridge, Matthew Lesch
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-02-01
Series:BMJ Global Health
Online Access:https://gh.bmj.com/content/9/2/e014246.full
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author Jim McCambridge
Matthew Lesch
author_facet Jim McCambridge
Matthew Lesch
author_sort Jim McCambridge
collection DOAJ
description The Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30 (GAAP) represents an important milestone in policy implementation at the global level on alcohol and health. There has, however, been little attention paid to the GAAP in the research literature. With a focus on the alcohol industry, this analysis examines the content of, and prospects for, the GAAP. It is clear why stronger action on alcohol and health is needed. The health harming nature of alcohol and policy interference by industry are now clearly understood. The alcohol industry is now thus regarded primarily as a key part of the problem. The GAAP calls for action in six areas with specific roles for public health actors, and invites powerful industry actors to desist from harmful activities, within each area. The broad outline of what is expected of the alcohol industry is now clear. It remains unclear, however, how far countries will continue to face formidable opposition from the major alcohol companies and their surrogates, in adopting and implementing evidence-based measures. Governments must now act at speed, and it is unclear if the targets set for 2030 will be met. If this long-running public health policy failure continues, this will have dire consequences for low and middle income countries where the alcohol market is expanding. Stronger actions may also be needed.
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spelling doaj-art-936d8aa095d749a7a23617d96403acdc2025-08-20T03:40:13ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Global Health2059-79082024-02-019210.1136/bmjgh-2023-014246Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30Jim McCambridge0Matthew Lesch11 Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK1 Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UKThe Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30 (GAAP) represents an important milestone in policy implementation at the global level on alcohol and health. There has, however, been little attention paid to the GAAP in the research literature. With a focus on the alcohol industry, this analysis examines the content of, and prospects for, the GAAP. It is clear why stronger action on alcohol and health is needed. The health harming nature of alcohol and policy interference by industry are now clearly understood. The alcohol industry is now thus regarded primarily as a key part of the problem. The GAAP calls for action in six areas with specific roles for public health actors, and invites powerful industry actors to desist from harmful activities, within each area. The broad outline of what is expected of the alcohol industry is now clear. It remains unclear, however, how far countries will continue to face formidable opposition from the major alcohol companies and their surrogates, in adopting and implementing evidence-based measures. Governments must now act at speed, and it is unclear if the targets set for 2030 will be met. If this long-running public health policy failure continues, this will have dire consequences for low and middle income countries where the alcohol market is expanding. Stronger actions may also be needed.https://gh.bmj.com/content/9/2/e014246.full
spellingShingle Jim McCambridge
Matthew Lesch
Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30
BMJ Global Health
title Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30
title_full Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30
title_fullStr Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30
title_full_unstemmed Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30
title_short Are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally? An analysis of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-30
title_sort are we moving into a new era for alcohol policy globally an analysis of the global alcohol action plan 2022 30
url https://gh.bmj.com/content/9/2/e014246.full
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