‘Prohibitionist policy’ will not solve alcohol abuse

A spirits trade body in the US has labelled a recent report recommending ways to tackle alcohol abuse in America as “disappointing” and tantamount to “prohibitionist policy”.

DISCUS has deemed a new report recommending tax increases in the US to tackle alcohol abuse “disappointing”

The Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) released a statement in response to a report by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), claiming that its “simplistic solutions” including tax increases will not solve the problem of alcohol abuse in America.

The report, published in Preventing Chronic Disease, claimed that excessive alcohol use led to approximately 88,000 deaths per year from 2006 to 2010.

“It’s shocking to see the public health impact of excessive drinking on working-age adults,” said Robert Brewer, MD, head of CDC’s Alcohol Program and one of the report’s authors.

“CDC is working with partners to support the implementation of strategies for preventing excessive alcohol use that are recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force, which can help reduce the health and social cost of this dangerous risk behaviour.”

Several strategies have been recommended by the task force include increasing alcohol taxes, limiting the days and hours of sales, and avoiding further privatization of alcohol retail sales.

However, DISCUS claimed that Dr Brewer had failed to “emphasize evidence-based strategies including screening and intervention, which the CDC promoted earlier this year as a proven, effective approach”.

The trade body said that the actions recommended by were tantamount to “prohibitionist policy” and would “not deter alcohol abuse”.

“The studies used by CDC’s Community Task Force to make these recommendations are flawed and do not represent the body of scientific research,” a statement from DISCUS read.

“Repeatedly, studies have shown that alcohol abusers are affected little by price, including research by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

“It is moderate, responsible consumers who are most sensitive to prices and are the ones that cut back the most when prices rise.”