We're Watching You!

In Europe there are several networks and organisations that deal with alcohol policies and who work for the reduction of alcohol-related harm. The alcohol industry is strong, but they can't do whatever they want. If they are crossing a line, there will be repercussions. Because we are watching them.

But what about those parts of the world that do not have a long history of "alcohol culture"? Globalization is not passing them by and particularly developing countries with large populations are an interesting market for the alcohol industry. But they have no protective network to fall back on, no infrastructure of organisations that can have an eye on the moves the western alcohol giants make. And the alcohol industry is shamelessly abusing this by targetting these countries with aggressive marketing strategies.

So maybe it is time for us to start looking a bit further than our own boarders and to expand our networks. The alcohol industry is working hard to maintain a "clean" image in Europe, but on other continents they are breaching all the rules that they continuously claim to play by. And once again those people who are already born with less opportunities than others are the ones who have to suffer. Let's stop this vicious cycle and let the alcohol industry know: We're watching you!

(For further information on this topic watch the 17min documentary "Global Hangover" or go to ADD - Alcohol, Drugs and Development, Global Alcohol Policy Alliance and the WHO.)