WHO Holds Second Alcohol Industry Dialogue

The World Health Organization on Wednesday convened a second dialogue with representatives of companies involved in alcohol production, distribution, marketing and sales, as it steps up work under its Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 and weighs how industry practices affect public health goals.

The meeting, held as part of the WHO’s broader effort to reduce alcohol-related illness and premature death, focused on three areas: product reformulation and consumer information, marketing practices, and alcohol sales and availability. The agency said the discussion was meant to examine current practices and emerging challenges, while making clear that governments remain responsible for setting, adopting and enforcing alcohol policy.

Alcohol use remains one of the leading risk factors for premature mortality and disease worldwide, according to the WHO, with effects that extend beyond health systems to economic development and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The agency said effective policy must be led by governments and grounded in evidence.

The dialogue followed an initial meeting in February 2023 and was framed as a structured exchange rather than a partnership. The WHO said participation by economic operators does not imply collaboration and does not affect the organization’s independence in setting norms and policy guidance.

Among the topics on the agenda were labeling practices for no- and low-alcohol products, including ingredient lists and nutritional or health-related information. The WHO also planned to discuss digital marketing, influencer promotion, indirect branding strategies and cross-border advertising, areas that have become more difficult to regulate as alcohol companies expand their online reach.

Sales and availability were another focus, including retail and e-commerce practices, age verification across sales channels, delivery systems, cross-border sales and licensing issues. The WHO said these questions are central to whether countries can make progress under the action plan.

The meeting comes at a time when governments in several regions are reviewing alcohol labeling rules, marketing restrictions and online sales controls. Public health advocates have argued that clearer consumer information and tighter limits on promotion are needed to reduce harm, while industry groups have pushed back against measures they say could burden trade or confuse consumers.

WHO officials said the purpose of the dialogue was to support a transparent and evidence-informed discussion while reaffirming that public health protection remains a government responsibility. The agency identified Anja Busse and Dag Rekve as contacts for questions about the meeting.