172155 Alcohol Industry's Objectives and Role in Global Trade Agreements

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 5:42 PM

Donald W. Zeigler, PhD , Long Range Planning, American Medical Association, Chicago, IL
     
Trade agreements are negotiated by trade experts in consultation with corporate interests without significant public health input. Agreements challenge effective alcohol control policies which may be seen as constraints on trade that interfere with commercial priorities and profit opportunities of foreign businesses. The alcohol industry supports and influences trade policy to reduce tariffs, increase market access, increase competition, lower prices, promote alcohol consumption, and have the potential to restrict effective domestic regulations. The prospect is for a “perfect storm” for increased alcohol consumption and concomitant problems worldwide. The presentation is a preliminary assessment of the means and extent of alcohol industry influence in trade agreements.

Learning Objectives:
Participant will be able to identify: Important policies that protect populations from alcohol abuse. How international trade agreements threaten to preempt public health policies related to alcohol. Means and extent of alcohol industry involvement in trade policy

Keywords: Alcohol, International Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have no conflicts of interest and have professional competence in the topic area of my presentation
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Alcohol Economics, Taxation, and Trade Issues
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