The United Nations has worked up an update on its ‘political declaration on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases’, which includes the consumption of alcohol.
The refresh, which can be read in full here, was presented at a meeting of the heads of State and Government at the UN on Thursday (25 September). According to the UN, the declaration, which consists of a “priority set of evidence-based, cost-effective and affordable actions”, recognises that 2.6m deaths globally per year can be attributable to alcohol consumption.
Among the measures that feature are the consideration of “introducing or increasing taxes on … alcohol to support health objectives, in line with national circumstances.”
A vote is due on the latest version of the declaration at the UN in the coming weeks.
The update was welcomed by the alcohol industry’s International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) NGO.
“The new UN Political Declaration marks an important moment in global health,” said IARD president Julian Braithwaite. “While we have seen progress in reducing the harmful use of alcohol, challenges remain, and action must be accelerated.
“As a science-based organisation with official NGO status at the UN, IARD is committed to supporting governments, civil society and the WHO in implementing solutions that focus on harmful consumption. Through a whole-of-society approach, we can build on the progress already made and contribute to the shared goal of reducing harmful drinking and improving public health by 2030.”
Two months ago, US trade association DISCUS argued that the UN’s “suggestion that raising taxes will prevent alcohol-related harm is misguided”.
Evidence shows raising taxes or prices does not deter alcohol abusers, but does unfairly raise costs for responsible consumers,” said DISCUS’ senior VP of science & research, Amanda Berger. “Such taxes may have unintended consequences, including on illicit alcohol, which poses a significant public health threat.”
