Alcohol policies: a consumer’s guide

Abstract

Abstract The final chapter of the book presents a synthesis of existing knowledge about evidence-based strategies and interventions that can be translated into alcohol policy. The extensiveness of the options with evidence of effectiveness (53 out of 69 options evaluated) shows that the policy solutions developed to deal with alcohol are not only numerous, but also extraordinarily diverse, ranging from individual therapeutic services for persons with alcohol-related problems to population-level strategies designed to influence the affordability, availability, and allure of alcohol for the general consumer. The Best Practices, according to the authors’ consensus ratings, are restrictions on affordability, availability, and accessibility, as well as marketing controls and drink-driving deterrence measures. On the basis of the evidence arrayed in this book, extraordinary opportunities exist to strengthen the policy response to alcohol-related problems.