A new report ‘Alcohol and the coronavirus pandemic: individual, societal and policy perspectives’ by a group of researchers was released recently. They investigate the links between alcohol use and COVID-19, both for individuals and society – from physiological effects on the immune system to alcohol venues’ role in ‘super-spreader’ events.

Vital Strategies has published a new report on how governments, despite the health burden, are subsidizing the alcohol industry. Billions of dollars are given to the alcohol industry every year through tax breaks, marketing subsidies and other incentives, particularly in low-and middle-income countries.

The 7th Global Alcohol Policy Conference (GAPC) will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, October 12-14. 2021. Due to the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19, GAPC 2021 will be held as a hybrid conference with opportunities for both physical and virtual participation.

The Lancet recently published the systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study, with updated figures for 87 risk factors for ill health, disability, and death. Among them alcohol is the leading risk factor for those aged 25-49, with increasing risks across all ‘socio-demographic development’ groups of countries.

The report, ‘Signalling Virtue, Promoting Harm’ released recently provides ample examples of how unhealthy commodity industries, alcohol included, have leveraged COVID-19 for commercial gain.

The Covid-19 pandemic shows us why the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global (the oil fund) must stop investing in alcohol. In South Africa the strict alcohol regulations during the pandemic have led to startling results.

In recognition of the fact that in Latin America and the Caribbean the harmful use of alcohol is one of the leading risk factors for death and disability, the report acknowledges that "alcohol does not receive due attention and action" (foreword). The report is a contribution to bringing about this due attention by pointing to the role of the alcohol industry in influencing regional policies that affect public health and social welfare.

Four recent reports from WHO Regional Office for Europe analyse and highlight the importance of good policies in preventing harm from alcohol use. All four can be downloaded here or from the World Health Organisation Regional Office of Europe.