Legal interventions to reduce alcohol-related cancers

Abstract

Research and public policy literature on alcohol-related harm predominantly focuses on the impact of alcohol policies over the short term. However, evidence on the effect of interventions on long-term, alcohol-related chronic disease, including cancers, is growing. The experience from tobacco control supports the use of interventions that increase the price of a commodity and restrict its availability in order to reduce consumption and realize long-term health gains. Meanwhile, the negative involvement of the alcohol industry in alcohol policy development is hampering efforts to intervene early and potentially save many lives. As the burden of alcohol-related cancers becomes more apparent, effective alcohol policies should be introduced sooner rather than later. This paper looks at some of the key legal interventions to reduce alcohol consumption, the potential for these interventions to reduce the risk of alcohol-related cancers, and some of the barriers to implementing these interventions. Examples of law reform efforts in Australia, New Zealand and the UK are given, as well as a short discussion of global alcohol policy initiatives.