Provincial alcohol index and its relationship to alcohol-related harm in Thailand: implications for subnational alcohol policy development

Aims/materials: This reflection piece reviews some of the key results and conclusions from the book Näin Suomi juo ( This is how Finns drink, 2018), based on the Finnish Drinking Habits Survey. Our aim was to go through the results taking the perspective of prevention workers and policymakers: how could they benefit from the scientific findings when tackling alcohol-related harm? Results/reflections: The reflections displayed in this article provide some useful arguments and justifications for population-level alcohol policy in the controversial alcohol policy debate. Harms do not only arise among the heaviest drinkers, and efficient methods to prevent harm may be found among the prevention efforts that apply to populations rather than only to the heaviest drinkers. The article also illustrates how the results from a population survey can be used in order to identify specific challenges and solutions for alcohol prevention in a given population. The results help in identifying the population groups and situations with an elevated risk of alcohol-related harm and in characterising the drinking patterns and social situations in which drinking takes place in these vulnerable parts of the population. Conclusions: The review illustrates that a many-sided understanding of alcohol consumption and the related harm, based on survey results, is more far-reaching in terms of prevention and policy than a knowledge base built solely on register data on the development of alcohol consumption and harm. For example, the respondents’ drinking patterns are linked not only to their attitudes and risk perceptions but also to what people consider to be appropriate means to reduce alcohol use and the related harm in terms of alcohol policy, informal social control and people’s life management.

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I don’t Think there’s Anything Else the Politicians can do: Alcohol Policy in Scotland from the Perspective of People with Alcohol-Related Harm

Journal of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence ◽

10.4172/2329-6488.1000186 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 03 (01) ◽

Author(s):

Fiona Pitcairn O May Heather B

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Policy ◽

Alcohol Related Harm ◽

Related Harm

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Māori perspectives on alcohol

International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies ◽

10.5204/ijcis.v14i1.1809 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 51-64

Author(s):

Tayla Darrah ◽

Andrew Waa ◽

Amanda Jones ◽

Anja Mizdrak

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Historical Trauma ◽

Alcohol Policy ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Alcohol Interventions ◽

Kaupapa Māori ◽

Fitting In ◽

And Coping ◽

Alcohol Related Harm ◽

Related Harm

ABSTRACTAimMāori suffer disproportionately from alcohol-related harm in Aotearoa New Zealand. With the view toward informing potential alcohol interventions for Māori, this study synthesises studies on alcohol and alcohol-related harm. MethodsUsing a Māori-centered approach, a narrative review of qualitative studies of Māori perspectives on alcohol was conducted. Journal databases, repositories, and websites were searched for relevant studies published since 2000. A thematic analysis was conducted and emergent themes were synthesised. ResultsEight studies were identified for inclusion. Whanaungatanga was identified as a contributor to alcohol use in included studies. Other motivations were ‘fitting in’, escape from stress, achieving ‘the buzz’, and coping with historical trauma. Among included literature, a strong cultural identity was a deterrent to alcohol overuse. Māori voiced a desire to be involved with local alcohol policy decisions. ConclusionAlthough Māori are a high-priority group, there remains a substantial gap in research on Māori perspectives toward alcohol interventions which is reflective of an underinvestment in Kaupapa Māori research. Future interventions for Māori may be more effective if these interventions focus on enhancing whanaungatanga without the presence of alcohol, consider the variable motivations for drinking, and utilise culturally appropriate methods to encourage reduced harm from alcohol use.

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A mapping review of evaluations of alcohol policy restrictions targeting alcohol-related harm in night-time entertainment precincts

International Journal of Drug Policy ◽

10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.09.012 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 62 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicholas Taylor ◽

Peter Miller ◽

Kerri Coomber ◽

Richelle Mayshak ◽

Renee Zahnow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Policy ◽

Night Time ◽

Mapping Review ◽

Alcohol Related Harm ◽

Related Harm

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Consequences of an Increase in Availability Due to an Eroded National Alcohol Policy: A Study of Changes in Consumption Patterns and Experienced Alcohol-Related Harm among 17- to 18-Year-Olds in Southern Sweden, 2003–2005

Contemporary Drug Problems ◽

10.1177/009145090703400404 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 575-588 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Martin Stafström

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Policy ◽

Consumption Patterns ◽

Southern Sweden ◽

Alcohol Related Harm ◽

Related Harm

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Workshop: Alcohol policy reforms in European countries – challenges and solutions

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.186 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Action Plan ◽

Alcohol Policy ◽

Health Concern ◽

The Public ◽

Harmful Use ◽

Effective Public Health ◽

Alcohol Related Harm ◽

Harmful Use Of Alcohol ◽

Related Harm

Abstract Alcohol-related harm is a major public health concern in Europe, with levels of alcohol consumption and associated health harm among the highest worldwide. According to the European Commission, premature deaths linked to alcohol account for over 7% of all European morbidity, and alcohol is a major avoidable risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer and unintentional and intentional injuries. Even moderate use of alcohol raises long-term risks of certain heart conditions, liver disease and cancers, and frequent use can lead to dependence. There is extensive research on efficient strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm, alongside high-level policy recommendations. Examples are the WHO’s global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol and the WHO European office’s European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012-2020. The European Union (EU) strategy to support member states in reducing alcohol-related harm expired in 2012. Since then, the Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action (CNAPA) has drawn up a non-binding Action Plan in relation to alcohol and EU countries have the main responsibility for their national alcohol policy. Despite strong evidence bases supporting alcohol policy, the implementation of potentially effective alcohol policy is often challenged by companies with commercial interests seeking to undermine evidence and advocate for less effective alternatives. These alternatives, such as education or voluntary industry action, are often favoured by politicians and the public. This opposition to evidence-based alcohol policy represents a challenge to public health. In this session, we will discuss recent developments in alcohol policy reform in Estonia, Finland and Scotland; reflecting on the outcomes of policies and the challenges faced in implementation. We invite commentaries from national experts and from the DG Sante and WHO Euro. Among these the French commentary will address the influence of the alcohol industry in circumventing effective public health policies, with discussions concerning the new strict French low-risk guidelines on alcohol use as one example. The objective of this workshop is to share experiences of the challenges faced in applying effective alcohol policies, to discuss ways to tackle those challenges, and to invite the EU and the WHO to share their views on ways to overcome these barriers in future policy advocacy. Key messages Commercial determinants of health are a powerful force in preventing effective public health policy on alcohol-related harm. The public health community need to work in a persistent and coordinated manner to bring in a suite of effective alcohol policy interventions across Europe.

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“VešKajPiješ?” (You know what you drink?) - mobile app for reducing alcohol related harm in Slovenia

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.433 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

S Rados Krnel ◽

A Kusar ◽

I Pravst ◽

B Blazica

Keyword(s):

Mobile Application ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Mobile App ◽

Health Messages ◽

Alcohol Policy ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Reliable Assessment ◽

Adolescents And Adults ◽

Alcohol Related Harm ◽

Related Harm

Abstract Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, provides that the labelling of ingredients and nutritional declaration is not mandatory for alcoholic beverages with more than 1.2% alcohol by volume. Consequently, consumers generally do not have access to similar information on alcoholic beverages as they do for food and non-alcoholic beverages. In Slovenia, drinking alcohol is a serious public health problem, both among adolescents and adults. Per capita consumption of pure alcohol in Slovenia is above the EU average. In order to achieve better results and reduce alcohol related harm, we need a comprehensive alcohol policy that incorporates proven effective measures in different areas of action. In 2019, in the frame of Slovenian programme “VesKajJes” (Know what you eat) supported by MoH, a mobile application was developed that enables consumers to scan EAN code for gaining the nutrition profile of selected food item. An analysis of the behaviour of mobile app users revealed that alcoholic beverages are one of the most frequently sought products; of all searches, as many as 36% of users wanted to get information about alcohol beverages. This was a major reason for upgrading the mobile application with information about alcoholic beverages. Additionally this newly developed communication channel will be used for raising awareness about alcohol-related harm. Mobile application “VešKajPiješ?” (You know what you drink?) will be developed within which we will: (1) collect information on at least 1,500 alcoholic beverages; (2) develop the protocol for a reliable assessment of the energy values depending of the type of alcoholic beverages; (3) prepare short health messages to raise awareness about the effects of hazardous and harmful alcohol use; (4) develop an application upgrade to show the alcohol content, energy value of alcoholic beverages, health messages and a link to a screening tool for assessing the alcohol consumption (AUDIT). Key messages There is a growing support for mandatory labelling of alcohol-containing beverages including health warnings. The program presents a solution consisting of a mobile app for consumers seeking information.

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