An alcohol monopoly is a government-controlled system for all or a segment of the alcohol supply chain (i.e., import, production, distribution, sales and export of alcohol). Alcohol monopolies are implemented in varied ways for distilled spirits, beer and wine. Despite their known advantages, alcohol monopolies are found in only a handful of contexts. Alcohol monopolies have also evolved, with a tendency towards increased private ownership of retail locations, either entirely or through the gradual increase in the share of private retailers (i.e., grocery stores) for beer or wine sales. There is also growing pressure to introduce other changes, such as to allow alcohol sales via the Internet, that risk eroding the unique advantages of an alcohol monopoly.
This webinar highlights alcohol monopolies and the contemporary challenges they must overcome to ensure these systems remain fit for purpose. It continues the dialogue initiated earlier in the Less Alcohol Webinar Series on restricting alcohol availability and alcohol consumption and socioeconomic inequalities. Leading experts on alcohol monopolies will share the best available evidence and discuss these systems in different contexts, including Canada, Finland, Sweden and other Nordic countries. We will discuss the threats monopolies face at present and ultimately reflect on the global mechanisms, including the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and global action plan on alcohol, that can support countries in their continued implementation of alcohol monopoly systems.
The webinar aims ultimately to raise awareness of the unique advantages of alcohol monopolies, highlight the latest scientific evidence, and create a platform for discussing the future of monopoly systems.
The event is co-organized by the Less Alcohol Unit of the Department of Health Promotion, the Drugs and Addictive Behaviours of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use at the World Health Organization and the European Alcohol Policy Alliance (Eurocare).