The Portuguese alcohol industry: friend or foe of public health authorities?

Abstract

Abstract The influence of the alcohol industry is considered one of the most important obstacles to the implementation of policies that aim to tighten alcohol control. However, to our knowledge, our research is the first one to document the influence of the alcohol industry in the country, despite a 6.8% prevalence of alcohol use disorders and alcohol not featuring in the current National Health plan. We performed a qualitative thematic analysis of information available on websites and social media pages of trade associations, charities funded by the alcohol industry, government, universities and media material. This analysis was based on the “Policy Dystopia” framework, dividing the strategies we found as either instrumental (action-based) and discursive (argument-based). Overall, out of the 198 written records, 56% were instrumental and 44% discursive. The alcohol industry's representatives are part of the executive commission of the national task force responsible for consulting on policies regarding alcohol. We also found evidence of extensive community involvement through cooperation with security forces, among others. Also, after a discussion by the Portuguese Parliament of a possible increase in taxation of alcoholic beverages, a trade association delivered a study it had ordered from a consultancy company refuting any increase. Trade associations also claimed stricter control measures were not necessary in southern European countries, such as Portugal, and they were only appropriate for countries with more harmful drinking patterns. When referring to health risks causes by alcohol consumption, the association with breast cancer was only found once with misleading language describing it as “chest cancer”. This research has shown several tactics employed by the alcohol industry in Portugal and, as such, helped counteract some arguments used by the industry. This can enable the implementation of more effective control policies. Key messages Public health authorities should document the industry’s tactics in order to implement effective control policies regarding alcohol and other substances. There is a need for audits of health information made public by the alcohol industry.