An analysis of how lobbying by the alcohol industry has eroded the French marketing regulation law

Abstract

Abstract Background In response to the positive association between alcohol marketing and young people's alcohol consumption, several countries have adopted marketing regulation laws. This is the case in France with the 1991 Evin Law, which prohibits advertising in media targeting young people and regulates content in authorized media. However, this law has faced intense opposition from its inception. The aim of this research is to identify the arguments and lobbying strategies deployed by the alcohol industry to undermine it. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 French key informants involved in implementing and/or updating the Evin Law, including initiators of the law, former ministers, non-governmental organizations, national public health institutes and academic associations and institutions. A thematic analysis was conducted to highlight strategies and arguments employed by the alcohol industry to undermine the Evin Law using Savell et al. framework (2016). Results Several of the identified strategies and arguments to combat marketing regulations were similar to those identified in other countries, while some strategies and arguments were specific to the French context. These include highlighting winegrowing and its integration into decision-making bodies, and forming alliances with parliamentarians. These specific features may in part be explained by the economic significance of alcohol and wine at the heart of French culture. Conclusions For the first time, the long-term lobbying strategies and arguments used by the alcohol industry to weaken the Evin Law are analyzed from the perspectives of those closely involved in its implementation. This study may be useful for other countries that have - or are in the process of - implementing alcohol marketing regulation laws. Key messages The pioneering French alcohol marketing regulation law has faced intense opposition from the alcohol industry, in particular viticulture. Analyzing the strategies and arguments used by the alcohol industry to erode this pioneering law is important to better counter them.