There ought to be a law: A report from the 16th alcohol policy conference on policy lessons across alcohol, tobacco, and food

Research and practice demonstrate that many alcohol policy options can help reduce consumption and problems related to alcohol use and abuse. While much is known, reduced funding, multiple priorities, industry opposition and continuing reluctance among policy-makers contribute to keep alcohol from making needed progress in the policy arena. Parallels exist between alcohol and other legal substances, namely tobacco and food. In an effort to create deeper understanding of similarities between alcohol, tobacco, and food policy efforts, leaders were convened at the Alcohol Policy 16 conference in April 2013 to dialogue about how the fields can move past silos and create a synergy that can advance policy goals in all three areas. Dialogue focused on four areas: 1) price/taxation, 2) availability and access, 3) marketing, advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and 4) building local capacity and advocacy efforts. This presentation will present the main findings and recommendations from this discussion.