New report lays bare alcohol industry spin tactics amid rising deaths
A new report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) reveals that alcohol industry bodies in the UK systematically misled the public and policymakers throughout 2024, downplaying rising levels of harm while presenting themselves as the solutions to the alcohol health crisis.
“Spin the bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility” – analysed over 140 public communications from six leading alcohol companies and industry-funded groups. The report highlights a deliberate strategy of cherry-picking evidence, exaggerating economic importance, and promoting voluntary measures – while at the same time, lobbying against effective regulation.
Despite deaths from alcohol being at record highs, with the worst rates here in the North East, the industry frequently claimed trends were “going in the right direction”. Industry groups cherry-picked data on positive trends such as a reduction in youth drinking and took credit for the decline.
Sue Taylor, Head of Alcohol Policy for Fresh and Balance said, “This ground-breaking report found a clear pattern of alcohol industry groups presenting themselves as the solution to all the problems which alcohol is causing, while at the same time underplaying harms and obstructing the policies that would make a real positive difference.
“We believe that people need to know the truth about the many harms caused by alcohol and it’s up to politicians to take a stand and refuse to allow the industry to shape public policy.”
She added: “Alcohol harms are at record levels and there is strong evidence to show that policies like Minimum Unit Price would reduce alcohol deaths and hospital admissions. We would urge the Government to act on independent advice, rather than following misleading narratives that position the alcohol industry as ‘part of the solution’ to alcohol harms.
“We applaud our colleagues at IAS and SHAAP for highlighting the shameful tactics of the alcohol industry and its attempts to mislead the public about its contribution to public health, the economy and the environment.
Among the findings include that alcohol trade bodies describe themselves as the “backbone” of the UK economy and warned of job losses if health-focused policies like price increases or marketing restrictions were introduced. Yet the report notes that alcohol harm costs over £27 billion in England alone every year, while many industry jobs are low paid. Industry groups also repeatedly argued that the industry is overtaxed and on the brink of collapse, yet alcohol multinationals are some of the most profitable companies in the country.
Many groups also engaged in greenwashing – boasting of environmental credentials while lobbying against environmental measures.
The report recommends that politicians and policy-makers recognise a clear conflict of interest between alcohol industry economic objectives and public health goals, pay attention to community level harms to protect the most vulnerable, and recognise that policy measures around tackling super-cheap alcohol, restricting promotion and availability will be the most effective to reduce alcohol harm.
Balance has launched “Reducing Alcohol Harm”, a ground-breaking blueprint calling for urgent national action to tackle the significant impact of alcohol on health, social care, crime, disorder, workplaces, and the economy. 82% of North East adults consider alcohol to be a problem both regionally and nationally, and alcohol is costing the region £1.5bn a year.