International policy

Global alcohol policy

Globally, the harmful use of alcohol causes around 3.3 million deaths every year (5.9% of all deaths).

Alcohol use is the 5th leading risk factor for disease, injury and disability. In eastern Europe, most of Latin America and southern sub-Saharan Africa, it is the leading cause.

A Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol was adopted in 2010 at the World Health Assembly. The strategy focuses on 10 areas for national action:

• leadership, awareness and commitment
• health services' response
• community action
• drink-driving policies and countermeasures
• availability of alcohol
• marketing of alcoholic beverages
• pricing policies
• reducing the negative consequences of drinking and alcohol intoxication
• reducing the public health impact of illicit alcohol and informally produced alcohol
• monitoring and surveillance

European alcohol policy

At European level, the European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012-2020 was endorsed by 53 Member States in 2011, but there is a need for a more comprehensive strategy to tackle alcohol harm across Europe.

Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2015

Alcohol Focus Scotland co-hosted the Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC) which was held in Edinburgh from 7-9 October 2015. The event brought together over 400 participants from 60 countries to discuss evidence-based actions to reduce alcohol harm worldwide. 

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opened the conference - read her speech

Read the GAPC 2015 declaration (PDF)

Alcohol Focus Scotland produced a film for the conference, Alcohol: a global concern