Cross‐country comparison of proportion of alcohol consumed in harmful drinking occasions using the International Alcohol Control Study

Abstract

Introduction and AimsThis study examines the proportion of alcohol markets consumed in harmful drinking occasions in a range of high‐, middle‐income countries and assesses the implications of these findings for conflict of interest between alcohol producers and public health and the appropriate role of the alcohol industry in alcohol policy space.Design and MethodsCross‐sectional surveys were conducted in 10 countries as part of the International Alcohol Control study. Alcohol consumption was measured using location‐ and beverage‐specific measures. A level of consumption defined as harmful use of alcohol was chosen and the proportion of the total market consumed in these drinking occasions was calculated for both commercial and informal alcohol.ResultsIn all countries, sizeable proportions of the alcohol market were consumed during harmful drinking occasions. In general, a higher proportion of alcohol was consumed in harmful drinking occasions by respondents in the middle‐income countries than respondents in the high‐income countries. The proportion of informal alcohol consumed in harmful drinking occasions was lower than commercial alcohol.Discussion and ConclusionsInformal alcohol is less likely to be consumed in harmful drinking occasions compared with commercial alcohol. The proportion of commercial alcohol consumed in harmful drinking occasions in a range of alcohol markets shows the reliance of the transnational alcohol corporations on harmful alcohol use. This reliance underpins industry lobbying against effective policy and support for ineffective approaches. The conflict of interest between the alcohol industry and public health requires their exclusion from the alcohol policy space.

Recruiting the “Heavy-Using Loyalists of Tomorrow”: An Analysis of the Aims, Effects and Mechanisms of Alcohol Advertising, Based on Advertising Industry Evaluations

“…It has been shown that the alcohol industry is dependent on harmful drinking to protect its profits, and targets heavier consumers [42,43]. There is also evidence in these case studies of advertising specifically aiming to recruit heavy drinkers, as in these three examples: “If Miller Lite was to be a large profitable brand we had to attract these young heavy drinkers” .(Miller Lite, 2004 [44]) “…Campari needed to achieve a more stable and democratic base.…”

Heavy drinking and contextual risk factors among adults in South Africa: findings from the International Alcohol Control study

“…While in other IAC countries less than 70% of the absolute alcohol was consumed during heavy drinking occasions (e.g., Mongolia and Thailand reported 62% and St. Kitts and Nevis reported 57%), 93% of the absolute alcohol was consumed during heavy drinking occasions in Tshwane, South Africa [ 33 ]. South Africa’s political and economic history history, and the associated demographic nuances all provide clues to understanding this difference.…”

Characteristics and drinking behaviour of patients on antiretroviral therapy who drink and attend HIV clinics in Tshwane, South Africa: Implications for intervention

“…[11] A recent general population survey in one metropolitan area in the country, Tshwane, found that over 90% of the consumption of absolute alcohol there took place during heavy drinking occasions, defined as 8 drinks of 15 mL (12 g) for men and 6 drinks for women. [12] However, fairly little is known about the drinking behaviours of patients on ART in SA, [13] including in the Tshwane metropole in Gauteng Province. One cross-sectional survey, conducted in two HIV clinics in Tshwane, found that the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) [14] scores of half the male and threequarters of the female drinkers were indicative of hazardous or harmful drinking.…”