250177 Dangerous concoctions: An update on the alcohol industries' involvement in global trade agreements and what we can do about it

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 3:30 PM

Donald Zeigler, PhD , Prevention and Healthy Lifestyles, American Medical Association, Chicago, IL
     
Trade agreements are negotiated by governmental trade experts in consultation with corporate interests without significant public health input. Agreements often have provisions that challenge effective alcohol control policies which the alcohol industry sees as constraints on trade and that interfere with their commercial priorities and profit opportunities. The alcohol industry supports and influences trade policy that reduces tariffs, increases market access and competition, lowers prices, promotes alcohol marketing and consumption, and undercuts effective domestic regulations. The presentation is an update on trade agreements and the means and the extent of alcohol industry influence in their formulation and implementation. There will be discussion of possible counter measures by the public health community.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Learners will 1. Identify aspects of trade agreements that create vulnerability for alcohol control policies; 2. Differentiate possible counter measures available to the public health community.

Keywords: Public Health Policy, Alcohol Problems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have researched, spoken, published and advocated on the topic over the past 9 years. I am active in the Trade and Health Forum and represent the ATOD on the Form
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: The Influence of Trade and Trade Policy on Health
See more of: Trade and Health Forum