Industry Guidelines

5.3 AREA 3: Community action

5.3 AREA 3: Community action

WHO position as outlined in the strategy
The impact of harmful use of alcohol on communities can trigger and foster local initiatives and solutions to local problems. Communities can be supported and empowered by governments and other stakeholders to use their local knowledge and expertise in adopting effective approaches to prevent and reduce the harmful use of alcohol by changing collective rather than individual behavior while being sensitive to cultural norms, beliefs, and value systems.
 

Policy options outlined in the strategy

(a)   Supporting rapid assessments in order to identify gaps and priority areas for interventions at the community level
(b)   Facilitating increased recognition of alcohol-related harm at the local level and promoting appropriate effective and cost-effective responses to the local determinants of harmful drinking and related problems
(c)    Strengthening capacity of local authorities to encourage and coordinate concerted community action by supporting and promoting the development of municipal policies to reduce harmful use of alcohol, as well as their capacity to enhance partnerships and networks of community institutions and nongovernmental organizations
(d)   Providing information about effective community-based interventions and building capacity at community level for their implementation
(e)   Mobilizing communities to prevent the selling of alcohol to and consumption of alcohol by underage drinkers and to develop and support alcohol-free environments, especially for youth and other “at-risk” groups
(f)     Providing community care and support for affected individuals and their families
(g)    Developing or supporting community programs and policies for subpopulations at particular risk (e.g., young people, unemployed persons, and indigenous populations), specific issues like the production and distribution of illicit or informal alcohol beverages, and events at community level such as sporting events and town festivals
 
Brief comments from an industry perspective
There is good evidence to support the effectiveness of alcohol interventions and prevention measures applied at the community level. Such interventions are not constrained by central government regulatory or approval processes, do not require structural change, and make it possible to involve a diverse group of stakeholders in a relatively quick timescale compared to the more lengthy process of introducing national legislation. This is an area where not only beverage alcohol producers but also retailers, whether on- or off-premise, have a particular role to play in supporting local partnerships aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. This already happens in some Member States, but there is potential for more activity in this area.
How can industry members support the above policy options?
  • Supporting server training initiatives—these are mandatory in some countries, voluntary in others
  • Supporting local community prevention partnerships and working with retailers, police forces, and local authorities
  • Supporting responsible-drinking campaigns linked to major sporting events, music festivals, or public holidays
  • Running campaigns to discourage underage purchase of alcohol, such as proof-of-age schemes
  • Establishing responsible retailing awards
 What ICAP tools are available to support this work?
Facilitating increased recognition of alcohol-related harm at the local level and promoting appropriate effective and cost-effective responses to the local determinants of harmful drinking and related problems
 

What other tools are available?

 
 
 
 

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