Drinks groups influence through ‘philanthropy’

Researchers have accused alcohol companies of funding charitable causes in order to increase their political influence.

Researchers have accused UK drinks companies of using “corporate philanthropy” to gain political influence

According to academics from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, drinks manufacturers and retailers have in recent years “used corporate philanthropy as a political device” by donating money to alcohol charities.

The researchers found that such drinks companies had given five alcohol charities up to £1 million each in recent years, including Addaction and Mentor UK, which are the only health groups involved in the UK government’s public health responsibility deal.

Other alcohol charities and medical groups initially involved in the deal pulled out amid concerns it was under too much influence from members of the drinks industry.

“Our work raises interesting questions about the extent to which the alcohol industry is using UK charities to further interests,” said the study’s lead author Dr Jim McCambridge.

“Policy makers in the UK need to consider whether current levels of transparency in policy-making best serve public benefit.”

McCambridge added that such “corporate philanthropy” reflects tactics used by the tobacco industry but that “little attention internationally has previously been paid to the alcohol industry and charities”.

In addition to Addaction and Mentor UK, three other charities – Drinkaware, The Robertson Trust and British Institute of Innkeeping – were also found to have received almost all their income from the alcohol industry or from people working in the industry and have senior alcohol industry figures as trustees.

McCambridge added that charities operating in alcohol or other policy arenas should be required to declare any possible conflicts of interest from funding sources “to ensure greater transparency”.

The study was published in the European Journal of Public Health.