Spooky action at a distance: entangled interests of alcohol industry

Transcription

1 Spooky action at a distance: entangled interests of alcohol industry Nijolė Goštautaitė Midttun Lithuanian Tobacco and Alcohol Control Coalition 2017, Tallin

2 LITHUANIAN TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL CONTROL COALITION (NTAKK) NTAKK legal association since 2008, umbrella for 32 member organizations. NTAKK mission is to promote, advocate and actively work towards implementation of scientific, evidence-based, effective measures for control and prevention of the use of all psychoactive substances and gambling. NTAKK aims to: Unite stakeholders in the field of psychoactive substances prevention and policy; Encourage and develop public and NGO cooperation; Advocate for implementation of evidence-based policy; Develop, implement and support policy programs, projects, etc.

3 LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ALCOHOL CONTROL IN LITHUANIA No alcohol sales in petrol stations since January 1, 2016; Use and advertising of discount campaigns for alcoholic drinks prohibited in the shops, since Nov 1, 2016; Increase in excise tax for all alcohol products since March 1, 2017; The legal age to purchase or consume alcohol is increased from 18 years to 20 years old from January 1 st, 2018 Alcohol retailers will have a right to ask for legitimation from buyers if there is uncertainty if the person is younger than 25 years old from January 1 st, 2018; Restricting off premise sale of alcoholic beverages (exceptions: airports, ferries, train bars/shops) from 10 am until 8 pm Monday to Saturday, and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday since 1st January 2018; Total ban on alcohol advertising including few exemptions (such as a logo of producers in sales areas or on memorabilia) since 1st January 2018.

4 1. Direct lobbying (meetings and correspondence with legislators/policymakers) and indirect lobbying (using third parties, alliances with other interest groups, including front groups, to lobby on the industry s behalf).

5 Carlsberg Group vice-president Jorn Tolstrup Rohde claims that Lithuania has the strictest alcohol control regulation in EU. At the end of 2011 the regulation banning alcohol advertising has been revoked weeks before it came to the effect. nsai/carlsberg-group-viceprezidentas-jornastolstrupas-rohde-lietuvoje-valstybesreguliavimas-griezciausias-es

6 Representatives of Carlsberg expressed their worries in the meeting with prime minister Beer producers are dissatisfied about unplanned and large increase in excise tax, criticise that the measures makes business environment more difficult.

7 Carlsberg leaders: We will not hesitate if we are forced to leave Lithuania

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9 2. Establishing industry/government collaboration (e.g. via working group, technical group, advisory group) and working alongside policymakers providing technical support/advice/policy development or implementation.

10 Governmental consultation: formal and allows industry involvement 17 proposals to restrict access; 15 proposals to ban alcohol advertising; 12 promote sober life-style; 9 increase excise tax

11 Philip Morris funded NGO Without a shadow produced an Action plan for reduction of alcohol consumption for Lithuania The plan was introduced by the Lithuanian Liberal Youth organisation and the staff of the Lithuanian government chancelor office sent it out to implementing institutions. The letter also mentions a meeting with an industry group to discuss wrong statistics.

12 3. The provision of gifts, corporate hospitality, charitable donations, campaign contributions to legislators and political parties.

13 In May, 2016 corruption scandal broke out. Alcohol and media industry corporation provided a bussiness loan in cash... I have put the money into the bottle packaging myself E. Masiulis the chair of the Liberal Movement

14 Personal discount cards to MPs offered by a chain of petrol stations

15 4. Abusing and high-jacking of social advertising.

16 Since 2016 new State Public Health Promotion Fund. Used to fund social advertising campaigns. 15min.lt won a project competition. Campaign conducted during September- November, 2016

17 January min.lt decided to continue the campaign with new partners - The Lithuanian beer makers guild, without bothering to inform the guy in the picture. Also micromanaging mistaken reporting about the fact.

18 New social responsibility campaign (September 2016) by retailers demnading that every person buying alcohol will have to show legitimation. A lot of complaints towards politicians from elderly population

19 The cashiers will not only ask for legitimation, they will also register personal June 14 th, 2016

20 Retailers cut the campaign short: no more legitimation request

21 5. Attempts to undermine the scientific evidence and statistics, subvert public messages and create industry friendly evidence. Learning from the best tobacco industry manufacture doubt.

22 The Association of Hotels and Restaurants: consumption statistics is untrue and/or incomparable: Every country uses different method for calculating consumption ( )

23 Massaging the statistics when government requests The discrepancy between WHO and the Lithuanian statistics department January, 2016 in the meeting of Lithuanian government with the department of statistics with industry participation a request was made to recalculate in order to reduce consumption Alcohol consumption assessment methodology changed from June 10 th, 2016 removing from consumption statistics alcohol bought in the border shops, also by external tourists, while adding consumption by Lithuanian tourists abroad; Unique assumption in these calculations was that foreign tourists in Lithuania drink like Lithuanians, while Lithuanians abroad drink like French, Spanish, etc.

24 WHO explains how Lithuania became the most drunk nation in the world... June 14 th, 2017

25 6. Threatening financial withdrawal, claiming that the measures would be disproportionately burdensome to small businesses, warning of the unintended consequences of regulating industries.

26 Petrol station spokesman: prohibiting sales of alcohol might result in firing 30 % of employees, closing 600 outlets, etc.

27 Stands in the petrol stations placing personal responsibility for the ban of sales in on MPs and government members and encouraging clients to contact.

28 7. Claiming that alcohol problems are caused by a small number of excessive drinkers, rather than be a consequence of the total consumption levels in a community.

29 Lithuanian business confederation commissioned a research which has shown that 12% of drinkers consume nearly 40% of alcohol in the country. Vilnius University researchers previously not involved in alcohol research were hired as experts.

30 8. Attacking public health advocates and trying to destroy their reputation.

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33 A. Veryga might be imprisoned for up to 2 years.

34 9. New cross-border business models

35 Specialized alcohol retailer announces subsidized trips to Latvia

36 advertising a new shop on the first border town in Poland

37 10. Drawing attention away from the control policy towards treatment of heavy drinkers.

38 Drawing attention away from the control policy towards treatment of heavy drinkers : legislation proposed for mandatory treatment