NCJ Number
217605
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 25 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2006 Pages: 567-579
Date Published
November 2006
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the research on international trade agreements related to alcohol and tobacco control policies and offers recommendations for policies and future research.
Abstract
International trade agreements as they relate to tobacco and alcohol primarily attempt to implement control measures that will reduce the access and consumption of these substances. Most trade agreements focus on raising prices for alcohol and tobacco and on restricting advertisements and promotions of related products, all in an effort to reduce the negative health and social outcomes related to alcohol and tobacco use. However, governments and corporations, working without the benefit of input from public health experts, may work to challenge such policies as constraints on free trade. As such, it is imperative that advocates understand the inherent conflicts between public health and fair trade and must focus on retaining controls on alcohol and tobacco within trade agreements. Toward this end, the author contends that the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control serves as an effective conduit for protecting tobacco policies and can further serve as a model for the control of alcohol. Several general recommendations are made for alcohol and tobacco control policies, including the adoption of policies that are informed by public health evaluations and economic experts and the complete exclusion of alcohol and tobacco from international trade agreements. Future research should focus on the developing Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its relationship to international trade agreements. References