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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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’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 ...

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 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 ...