Health risks of including alcohol and tobacco in PICTA free trade.
In April 2005 Pacific Forum leaders will decide whether to include alcohol and tobacco in the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA). This article presents arguments for keeping alcohol out of regional free trade agreements. Inclusion will allow regional rationalisation of production, increased alcohol availability, competition and marketing, and lower prices. These trade goals are inappropriate for alcohol and tobacco. Pacific public health organisations are concerned that official advice has focused on fiscal impacts, not health and social impacts. The World Health Organization has identified alcohol as the leading factor in injury and disease for low-mortality developing countries. Effective policies to reduce alcohol related harm include restrictions on availability, as well as excise taxes affecting price. Under trade agreements elsewhere, national alcohol policies have been challenged as 'non-tariff barriers to trade'. Hazardous drinking is of increasingly concern in the Pacific and decisions about alcohol should not reflect commercial interests.
Hill
Linda
L
Global Alcohol Policy Alliance, 55 Mairangi Rd, Wadestown, Wellington. Linda.hill@actrix.co.nz
D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007857:Leadership; D009520:New Zealand; D010139:Pacific Islands; D011057:Politics; D011640:Public Policy; D012306:Risk; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000191:economics*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology