A paper exploring how substantial are 'unhealthy' drinkers to alcohol sales volume asks whether this means the industry can have genuine corporate social responsibilty in promoting sensible drinking.
Conflict of interest in the alcoholic drinks industry: how important are ‘unhealthy drinkers’ in total UK consumption? is available to download here [pdf]
Critics suggest that the industry's commercial interests are such that it cannot feasibly have a genuine interest in reducing consumption given the volume of alcohol consumed by those drinking above reccommended guidelines. Largely the drinks industry has invested in an awareness raising approach, such as through www.drinkaware.co.uk, as part of its corporate social responsibilty agenda.
The paper finds 'that unhealthy drinking [i.e. above the reccommended guidelines] accounts for 55-82% of total consumption by 18-64 year olds, depending on the definition of unhealthy drinking used'. For discussion the paper summarises:
'...there is a significant potential conflict of interest under any assumptions, in contrast to the alcohol industry’s claims. Further research is needed to examine whether other potential motivations of the alcohol industry compensate this potential conflict of interest sufficiently to achieve genuinely responsible behaviour.'
Last year the Health Scrutiny Committee alcohol report explored the role of the alcohol industry in the context of national alcohol policy.
Comments