The alcohol industry, charities and policy influence in the UK

Abstract

Background: Charities exist to pursue a public benefit, whereas corporations serve the interests of their shareholders. The alcohol industry uses corporate social responsibility activities to further its interests in influencing alcohol policy. Many charities also seek to influence alcohol and other policy. The aim of this study was to explore relationships between the alcohol industry and charities in the UK and whether these relationships may be used as a method of influencing alcohol policy. Methods: The charity regulator websites for England and Wales and for Scotland were the main data sources used to identify charities involved in UK alcohol policy making processes and/or funded by the alcohol industry. Results: Five charities were identified that both receive alcohol industry funding and are active in UK alcohol policy processes: Drinkaware; the Robertson Trust; British Institute of Innkeeping; Mentor UK and Addaction. The latter two are the sole remaining non-industry non-governmental members of the controversial responsibility deal alcohol network, from which all other public health interests have resigned. Conclusion: This study raises questions about the extent to which the alcohol industry is using UK charities as vehicles to further their own interests in UK alcohol policy. Mechanisms of industry influence in alcohol policy making globally is an important target for further investigations designed to assist the implementation of evidenced-based policies.

Alcohol, ideological schisms and a science of corporate behaviours on health

“…This obviously places researchers in perilous ethical positions, not just in relation to industry, but also (and perhaps most significantly) with respect to their colleagues in the alcohol control movement. Amid this, there is a growing body of qualitative work about the actions of industry including their funding links with charities (Lyness & McCambridge, 2014), their influence on the policy process , industry perspectives on alcohol as a problem (Baggott, 2006) and more nuanced readings that challenge the characterisation of 'Big Booze' as a monolithic . These are important contributions to the development of a science of corporate behaviour and ones that highlight the need to research in ways that tread more lightly than the stance adopted by the more adversarial alcohol control advocates.…”

Mapping discourse coalitions in the minimum unit pricing for alcohol debate: a discourse network analysis of UK newspaper coverage

“…A charity which has previously received alcohol funding, Addaction [17], is also situated in the Proponents coalition, although more peripherally. Alcohol Concern, Alcohol Focus Scotland, are positioned centrally in the Proponents coalition with no ties to organizations in the Opponents Coalition.…”

“…Previous research on alcohol policy in general, and MUP in particular, has also highlighted the importance of the alcohol industry as key influencers [16][17][18][19]. More indirect influence by industry through organizations such as think-tanks [18] and charities [17], as well as through alliances with consumer/civil society groups and engagement in social responsibility activities [19], has also been noted. More indirect influence by industry through organizations such as think-tanks [18] and charities [17], as well as through alliances with consumer/civil society groups and engagement in social responsibility activities [19], has also been noted.…”

“…Previous work on media representations of MUP highlights the role of advocates (public health groups, health charities and academics) in making supportive statements about the policy in media coverage of the debate [14]. Previous research on alcohol policy in general, and MUP in particular, has also highlighted the importance of the alcohol industry as key influencers [16][17][18][19]. Previous research on alcohol policy in general, and MUP in particular, has also highlighted the importance of the alcohol industry as key influencers [16][17][18][19].…”

Grenfell Tower fire: why we cannot ignore the political determinants of health

“…They must emulate those who asked why 76% of third class passengers on the Titanic perished but only 39% of those in first class, 14 those who showed that inequality is "killing people on a grand scale," 15 and those who measured then exposed the human cost of austerity. 16 They must also make visible the often hidden corporate determinants of health, such as the tactics used by tobacco, 17 food, 18 and alcohol 19 industries in subverting healthy public policies.…”