News Release: Regulating Marketing of Alcohol Can Help Reduce Consumption, Harm

Regulating Marketing of Alcohol Can Help Reduce Consumption, Harm

The following is a press release issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The full The publication is available HERE.

Washington, D.C., April 18, 2017 (PAHO/WHO) – Countries can improve public health by regulating the marketing of alcoholic beverages to reduce its consumption and related harms, and the Pan American Health Organization has developed new principles for countries to consider in developing these regulations.

The new PAHO publication, “Technical note: Background on alcohol marketing regulation and monitoring for the protection of public health,” provides elements that governments can use to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks that would help reduce or eliminate exposure to alcohol marketing.

Alcohol marketing is widespread in the Americas, with modern marketing techniques that go beyond traditional print and electronic media advertisements to include branded merchandise, sponsorships of sporting teams and events, discount pricing, social media, and sales or supply at educational or health establishments.

Substantial evidence now associates alcohol marketing with young people’s drinking behavior, according to the PAHO publication and the scientific journal Addiction. Studies have found that the more young people are exposed to alcohol marketing, the more likely they are to start drinking earlier, and to drink more if they are already drinking. The harmful use of alcohol is one of the four most common preventable risk factors for major noncommunicable diseases and an important risk factor for violence and injury. It also has an impact on other health conditions including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, as well as on economic and social development.

The document is based on the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful use of Alcohol of the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the subsequent PAHO Regional Plan of Action. It complements a 2016 PAHO report on Alcohol Marketing Regulation, and was built in consultation with experts, representatives from several Member States and PAHO staff.

The PAHO publication notes that a comprehensive ban on alcohol marketing is likely the only way to eliminate risk of exposure for those most needing protection, such as youth and other vulnerable groups.

Facts on Alcohol in the Americas

• Alcohol consumption in the Region of the Americas is higher on average than in most parts of the world.
• Estimates show a high prevalence of heavy episodic drinking among 15-19 year-olds in the Americas (29.3% for adolescent boys and 7.1% for adolescent girls).
• Alcohol is the leading risk factor for death and disability among people aged 15-49 years in the Americas.
• Nearly 40% of countries in the Americas have no restrictions on alcohol marketing, and none has a full ban on marketing. Seven countries have reported having self-regulatory codes, despite evidence showing they are not effective in reducing youth exposure to alcohol marketing.
• Youth are 5 times more likely to drink alcohol brands that advertise on national television, and 36% more likely to use brands that advertise in national magazines.
• Youth exposed to ads containing a “party” theme were 19 times more likely to initiate drinking and about 4 times more likely to initiate binge drinking.

Additional Links :

PAHO report on Alcohol Marketing Regulation

The Regulation of Alcohol Marketing: From Research to Public Health Policy.

PAHO Alcohol Website.