Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic - London

BMA Board of Science
into force in 2005 (see Appendix 6). To be effective in reducing the burden of alcohol misuse, any
international treaty should set out legally binding provisions including regulating the availability of
alcohol through licensing; increased taxation on alcoholic beverages; enacting comprehensive
restrictions on alcohol advertising, promotion and sponsorship; educating the public of the harms
associated with alcohol misuse; establishing and enforcing laws to discourage drink-driving;
providing accessible and effective treatment services; enforcing the legal responsibility of retailers
to sell alcoholic beverages in accordance with legislation; promoting research and the exchange of
information among countries; establishing a priority for public health considerations in the
regulation of international alcohol commerce; and international cooperation to combat illegal
production and trade in alcohol.
The introduction of a Framework Convention on Alcohol Control (FCAC) would serve to support
governments in developing and implementing effective alcohol control policies, foster
collaboration between countries, counter the international trade agreements that currently restrict
governments from introducing stricter alcohol control policies, and effectively engage nongovernmental
organisations.
Recommendations
There should be strong support for European Union, World Health Organisation and World
Health Assembly initiatives and policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm to individual
and public health.
Lobby for, and support the World Health Organisation in developing and implementing a
legally binding international treaty on alcohol control in the form of a Framework
Convention on Alcohol Control. This should include provisions for:
regulation of the availability of alcohol through licensing
increased taxation on alcoholic beverages
statutory regulation of alcohol advertising, promotion and sponsorship
programmes aimed at educating the public of the harms associated with alcohol misuse
legislation to discourage drink-driving
appropriately funded and resourced treatment services
enforcement of the legal responsibility of retailers to sell alcoholic beverages in
accordance with legislation
promoting research and the exchange of information among countries
establishing a priority for public health considerations in the regulation of international
alcohol commerce
international cooperation to combat illegal production and trade in alcohol.
Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic 69