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Vested Interests in Addiction Research and Policy. Is the alcohol industry delaying government action on alcohol health warning labels in A ustralia?
Author(s) -
Mathews Rebecca,
Thorn Michael,
Giorgi Caterina
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/add.12338
Subject(s) - alcohol industry , government (linguistics) , public health , business , public relations , addiction , politics , environmental health , medicine , political science , psychiatry , law , advertising , linguistics , philosophy , nursing
Aims This paper examines the strategies and arguments used by segments of the alcohol industry to delay the introduction of mandatory health warning labels on alcohol containers in A ustralia. These strategies are compared with those used by the tobacco industry to delay the introduction of warning labels for cigarettes. Methods Submissions made by members of the alcohol industry to the A ustralian G overnment's review of labelling and P arliamentary I nquiry into F etal A lcohol S pectrum D isorders were analysed. Results Segments of the alcohol industry have delayed the introduction of mandatory alcohol health warning labels in A ustralia by questioning the rationale and evidence base for labels; arguing that they will cause damage to public health and the economy; lobbying and seeking to influence government and political representatives including through monetary donations; and introducing its own voluntary labelling scheme. The arguments made by these organizations against the introduction of mandatory health warning labels for alcohol are flawed and their empirical basis is limited. Conclusion The A ustralian G overnment has delayed the introduction of mandatory alcohol health warning labels in A ustralia by 2 years, until at least D ecember 2013. The campaigning of some parts of the alcohol industry appears to have been instrumental in this decision.