Any global action in this area must be based on sound evidence and a common frame of reference. Currently, there are no generally accepted standards for quantifying the extent of the informal beverage alcohol market or for charting its health consequences.

This lack of data is a serious obstacle to developing effective policies. Thus, we are conducting a two-year research initiative with credible academic partners to develop a common international methodology to measure the incidence of noncommercial alcohol in the target countries where current data are inadequate or unavailable.