Alcohol and Public Policy: Evidence and Issues

Alcohol and Public Policy provides a set of scientific reviews, written by a distinguished team of international scientists and policy analysts, which explore the scientific basis for policies on alcohol and alcohol problems.

Important contemporary issues are critically reviewed including a mapping of trends in world consumption and examination of the most recent evidence on how drinking is shared out within any given population. Evidence on the relationship between quantity drunk and harm done is explored both as regards the individual drinking and population levels of consumption. Suicide, interpersonal violence, and dependence risk are all considered as well as the physical harms of alcohol abuse. Other chapters deal with the effect of pricing on consumption, the climate of public discourse, and the alleged protective influence of moderate drinking. Finally, the application of economics to the determination of the 'best buy' in a practical mix of policies is examined.

In an area often clouded by partisan and vested interests, this book provides a clear objective approach to the subject. Its comprehensive and balanced coverage of alcohol and public health issues will benefit anyone working in these areas.

Harold Holder, Director and Senior Scientist, Prevention Research Centre, Berkeley, California. Griffith Edwards, Professor, National Addiction Centre, Addiction Sciences Building, London.