Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity: Research and public policy

Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity is a comprehensive book that presents the accumulated scientific knowledge on alcohol research and its relevance to alcohol policy. It emphasizes the growing tendency for governments to consider alcohol misuse as a major determinant of ill health and organizes societal responses. The book covers seven general areas of alcohol policy, including pricing and taxation, regulating the physical availability of alcohol, modifying the environment, drinking-driving countermeasures, marketing restrictions, primary prevention programs, and treatment and early intervention services. It is a valuable resource for those involved in addiction science, drug policy, public health, health policy, epidemiology, and practicing clinicians.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity is a groundbreaking collaborative effort by an international team of addiction scientists aimed at strengthening the connections between addiction science and alcohol policy. This comprehensive and user-friendly book presents a wealth of scientific knowledge on alcohol research, directly relevant to the development of alcohol policies at local, national, and international levels. It serves as an objective foundation for creating effective policies worldwide and provides valuable insights for policymakers responsible for public health and social welfare. By placing alcohol policy within the realm of public health, the book highlights the growing recognition of alcohol misuse as a significant factor contributing to ill health, prompting governments to adopt appropriate societal responses.

The book's scope is truly global, covering a wide range of topics. The authors provide a conceptual framework for a rational alcohol policy and present new epidemiological data on the global dimensions of alcohol misuse. The core of the book consists of a critical review of the accumulated scientific evidence in seven key areas of alcohol policy: pricing and taxation, regulating the physical availability of alcohol, modifying the environment where drinking occurs, implementing drinking-driving countermeasures, implementing marketing restrictions, implementing primary prevention programs in schools and other settings, and providing treatment and early intervention services.

The final chapters of the book explore the current state of alcohol policy in different regions of the world and emphasize the need for a new approach to alcohol policy that is evidence-based, global, and coordinated. This valuable resource is of immense value to professionals involved in addiction science and drug policy, as well as those in the broader fields of public health and policymaking. By bridging the gap between science and policy, Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity contributes to a more informed and effective approach to addressing the complex challenges associated with alcohol consumption and its impact on society.

Weight: 584g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192844484
Edition number: 3 Revised edition