"This Supposed Conflict of Interest": Analysis of Industry Framings of Partnership and Conflict of Interest in WHO Public Consultations on Alcohol Policy.

Bibliographic Details
Title:	"This Supposed Conflict of Interest": Analysis of Industry Framings of Partnership and Conflict of Interest in WHO Public Consultations on Alcohol Policy.
Authors:	Thompson E; Global Health Policy Unit, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom., Maani N; Global Health Policy Unit, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.; SPECTRUM Consortium (Shaping Public Health Policies to Reduce Inequalities and Harm), Edinburgh, United Kingdom., Collin J; Global Health Policy Unit, School of Social & Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.; SPECTRUM Consortium (Shaping Public Health Policies to Reduce Inequalities and Harm), Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Source:	Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs [J Stud Alcohol Drugs] 2026 May; Vol. 87 (3), pp. 454-465. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Sep 25.
Publication Type:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Journal Info:	Publisher: Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101295847 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1938-4114 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19371888 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):	Original Publication: Piscataway, NJ : Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, c2007-
MeSH Terms:	Food Industry/ethics , Alcohol Drinking/prevention & control , Conflict of Interest* , World Health Organization* , Alcoholic Beverages* , Health Policy*, Humans ; Policy Making ; Public-Private Sector Partnerships ; Cooperative Behavior ; Public Policy
Abstract:	Objective: High-level commitments to engage the private sector in governance and limited attention to managing conflicts of interest (COIs) have enabled alcohol industry actors to participate in policy development processes. This is recognized as a key barrier to developing effective alcohol policy and as important to the industry's efforts to position itself as a contributor to sustainable development. This article examines alcohol industry perspectives on governance, particularly with respect to partnerships and COI, submitted during the development of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Alcohol Action Plan. Method: This study was a frame analysis of 111 submissions from alcohol industry actors to two public consultations held in the development of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030. Results: Alcohol industry actors engaged with two broad frames in their submissions, collaborative and adversarial. Industry submissions overwhelmingly used the collaborative frame, positioning the alcohol industry as a partner by claiming alignment with policy goals and by referencing forms of governance that prioritize industry involvement. Respondents also engaged with a contrasting adversarial frame, most commonly articulated by public health actors, by rejecting the relevance of COI, resisting restrictions on the industry's role in governance, and dismissing a potential binding global instrument for alcohol. Conclusions: The alcohol industry places significant value on participating in policy initiatives and is resistant to challenges to its engagement. The WHO Action Plan's continued ambivalence toward the alcohol industry may point toward a challenging environment for effective policy. This underscores a need for stronger norms around COI and a more cautious approach to the alcohol industry.
Entry Date(s):	Date Created: 20250925 Date Completed: 20260504 Latest Revision: 20260504
Update Code:	20260505
DOI:	10.15288/jsad.25-00048
PMID:	40996163
Database:	MEDLINE

Description
ISSN:	1938-4114
DOI:	10.15288/jsad.25-00048