Book highlights industry action on harmful drinking

Published: 16 November, 2009

International beer, wine and spirits companies say a new book demonstrates their commitment to reducing harmful drinking.

The International Center for Alcohol Policies - an industry-funded group based in the US - has published Working Together to Reduce Harmful Drinking, which it says "gives a unique insight into top alcohol producers' submissions to the global alcohol strategy process".

According to ICAP, "the book demonstrates that alcohol producers do not shy away from tackling the thorny problems of alcohol advertising bans and increasing pricing".

It also claims that nearly a third of alcohol consumed globally is non-commercial or illegal.

Authors include Mark Leverton, senior adviser on alcohol policy to Diageo; Godfrey Robson, former director of health policy in the Scottish Government; Adrian Botha of the Industry Association for Responsible Alcohol Use in South Africa; and ICAP vice president Brett Bivans.

The book will be launched in London on November 26 and attended by Paul Walsh, CEO of Diageo, and Graham Mackay, CEO of SABMiller.

The book has been produced in anticipation of the World Health Organisation's global strategy on harmful drinking, which is scheduled to appear next year.

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