Addressing the influence of the alcohol industry in Aotearoa New Zealand

Alcohol legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand has not been sufficient to minimise the harm and inequities caused by alcohol use, and a comprehensive review of alcohol policies has been postponed. Because of the alcohol industry's vested interests, the World Health Organization notes that industry involvement in public health policy has potential risks that should be minimised. Here we illustrate the significant extent of alcohol industry penetration in Aotearoa and how such influence undermines equity by amplifying the harms of colonisation. The government lacks policies that limit interactions with the alcohol industry, such as political donations and lobbying. We recommend what can be done to limit alcohol industry influence in policymaking, including using experiences in tobacco control to manage conflicts of interest, strengthening rules over political donations and lobbying, enhancing transparency of interactions, promoting non-collaboration with the alcohol industry and advocating for alcohol policies that give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.