Political interference

Political interference, or lobbying, is Big Alcohol’s activity to eliminate or minimize any alcohol policy effort that would threaten sales and profits. The focus of this Dubious 5 strategy is the decision-makers and opinion leaders with the power to shape and decide alcohol policy decisions. Tactics of political interference are delay, derail, or even destroy alcohol policy initiatives, and to divide coalitions supporting alcohol policy initiatives. Big Alcohol is paying lobbyists and lobby front groups to interfere in public health policy making around the world.

Latest cases of Political interference

Diageo

Conflict of Interest: Why KBL Shouldn’t Train Law Enforcement

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), owned by Diageo, recently partnered with the Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK) to train over ...

Diageo, Heineken

Alcohol Industry in Kenya – Hypocrisy Exposed as ABAK Fights Environmental Legislation

The Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK), representing some of the world’s largest alcohol companies, is now fighting proposed ...

Carlsberg, Heineken

Big Alcohol’s Tactics in Vietnam – Misleading the Public on Alcohol Taxation

In Vietnam, the alcohol industry is once again deploying manipulative tactics to sabotage a planned increase in excise taxes on alcohol. A ...

Exposing Alcohol Industry Penetration of Governments in 24 Jurisdictions Around the World

As part of the International Alcohol Control Study, researchers from 24 jurisdictions assessed alcohol industry penetration and government ...

Bacardi, Diageo, Pernod Ricard

Big Alcohol’s Campaign Against Chicago’s Alcohol Tax: Protecting Profits and Misleading Policymakers

The recent pushback from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) against a proposed spirits tax hike in Chicago ...

Heineken

Heineken’s ‘Heinekicks’: A Sneaky Move to Target Gen-Z in Markets Where Alcohol Marketing is Banned

Heineken’s latest promotion, “Heinekicks,” is a troubling campaign aimed at reaching Gen-Z in markets where the general public is ...

AB InBev, Heineken

Big Beer Pushes for Tax Cuts in Brazil’s Reform: A Threat to Public Health

As Brazil moves toward tax reform, the beer industry is lobbying hard for lower taxes on beer compared to other alcoholic beverages. Major ...

Revelations About Big Alcohol Lobbying Spark Community Concerns in Scotland

Revelations about aggressive Big Alcohol lobbying in Scotland have raised concerns about the alcohol industry’s influence on public ...

Constellation Brands

Constellation Brands Buys Influence in Mexico with Billion Dollar Investment

Constellation Brands’ $1.6 billion investment in Veracruz, framed as a major economic win, raises serious concerns about the company’s ...

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