Beer, wine and spirits groups are devising new tactics to counter a hardening public health stance against alcohol, including promoting the social benefits of drinking and disputing research on the risks of moderate consumption.
The World Health Organization’s position that there is “no safe level” of drinking, coupled with declining global alcohol consumption, had prompted the need for more decisive action, executives at some of the world’s largest drinks groups told the Financial Times.
They are mounting a fightback that includes publicly disputing the WHO’s stance and warning that inaccurate research is influencing alcohol policymaking, as well as putting out advertising campaigns focused on the benefits of in-person socialising.