Alcohol policy and stakeholder dialogue

Our ability to help create a more valuable role for alcohol in society depends to a great extent on the existence of a balanced regulatory framework providing a strong foundation for our programmes. We believe that the most effective policies to reduce alcohol misuse are those based on the best evidence, that account for drinking patterns, that target specific at-risk populations, that treat all forms of alcohol equitably, and that involve all stakeholders – governments, NGOs, law enforcement agencies, public health groups, educators, parents, and communities - working toward a common goal.

Diageo actively supports effective and targeted alcohol policies at the global and national level. Establishing consensus on alcohol policy issues such as responsible marketing, blood alcohol concentration levels, legal purchase age, tax policy and other regulatory measures - such as how to deal with illicit alcohol - is essential to Diageo’s goals for a sustainable future.

The launch of the World Health Organisation’s global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol is an important and constructive watershed in collective action to address alcohol issues around the world. Diageo, together with other major international drinks companies, plans to work constructively with WHO member states by supporting and contributing to feasible and effective policies that reduce harmful drinking.

Diageo continues to work with organisations around the world such as the International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP) in supporting development of regulatory frameworks.  See ‘Programmes to address alcohol misuse’ for the Global Actions on Harmful Drinking.

Social aspects organisations

Over the years, we have helped establish many social aspects organisations (SAOs). These are organisations that tackle alcohol misuse and promote responsible drinking. We have worked with SAOs to develop codes of responsible marketing and raise awareness about responsible drinking. For a comprehensive list of SAOs visit our 2012 Sustainability & Responsibility Report.