A new report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies explores the positions of public health groups and the alcohol industry on a range of alcohol policy areas following Britain’s exit from the European Union. Brexit Battlegrounds reviews public statements and documents from a range of organisations to identify the major priorities and likely areas of conflict.
The report finds that:
- Public health groups have made four main proposals, relating to ‘carve outs’ from future trade agreements, reforming alcohol duty, stricter labelling requirements and stronger marketing restrictions
- Alcohol industry groups have more detailed and numerous demands, many of which simply maintain the status quo or do not have clear public health implications
- However, there are three areas where the industry agenda needs particular scrutiny: i) attempts to encourage tax competition and weaken regulation; ii) attempts to increase industry policy influence, particularly over future trade negotiations; iii) attempts to increase access to emerging markets