World’s harmful drinking to be tackled by global organisation

An international organisation has been formed to reducing harmful drinking, which has been described as “a serious global public health issue”.

Drinks groups from around the world will work with IARD to reduce harmful drinking

The International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD) is the result of the merger between the International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) and the Global Alcohol Producers Group (GAPG) earlier this year.

The new organisation, which will be based out of Washington D.C., has appointed United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) Pakistan representative, Ann Keeling, as CEO.

She will officially join on 1 January 2015, bringing with her 30 years of experience with social development and non-communicable diseases.

Rick Wilson, IARD chairman and senior vice president, external affairs and corporate responsibility at Bacardi-Martini, said: “Ann will bring to IARD a strong track record in working to solve complex challenges in both developed and developing nations around the world.

“Under Ann’s leadership, IARD will continue to build on last year’s commitments launch, enabling member beer, wine, and spirits producers to make even more rapid, focused progress in promoting the responsible use of our products.”

Marcus Grant will serve as interim CEO until his retirement at the end of 2014.

Tackling a global health issue

IARD’s core aims will be to lobby for effective policies and programs to tackle harmful drinking, communicate the views of its member companies, and become a global point of contact for member states, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Provisional board members of the new organisation include: Anadolu EFES; AB InBev; Asahi Breweries; Bacardi; Beam Suntory; Brewers Association of Japan; Brown-Forman Corporation; Carlsberg; Constellation; Diageo; Heineken; JSLMA; Kirin; Moët Hennessy; Molson Coors; Pernod Ricard; and SABMiller.

Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo, said: “The IARD will play a vital role in supporting our industry in tackling alcohol misuse and accelerating the implementation of the Global Beer Wine and Spirits Producers Commitments.

Combining the resources of both organisations as we engage with industry, government, international agencies and other key stakeholders will bring focus to our work as we challenge ourselves to deliver impactful, evidence-based campaigns around the world.”

Over the next five years, the members have pledged to addressed five key areas: reducing under-age drinking; strengthening marketing codes of practice; provide consumer innovation and responsible product innovation; reduce drink driving; and gather support from retailers to reduce harmful drinking.