Your weekly guide to the most important alcohol issues in policy, science, and industry accountability – and the movements creating change.
The Big Story
A Decade of Alcohol Tax Advocacy
Ten years ago, alcohol taxation was still the “forgotten best buy.” Today, it’s a rising global priority.
Movendi International’s new report, “A Decade of Advocacy for Fair and Smart Alcohol Taxation“, charts how civil-society leadership, evidence-based advocacy, and persistence have moved the alcohol taxation debate from overlooked option to global priority.
Movendi International President Kristina Sperkova’s accompanying blog traces the long-term strategic initiative – from early setbacks to the growing chorus of governments embracing alcohol taxation measures – and the quadruple win they generate.
Read the full report | Kristina’s blog
Science Spotlight
Alcohol and the SDGs in the Americas
A brand new study in published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs reveals how neglecting alcohol policy undermines progress on 15 of 17 Sustainable Development Goals across the Americas. The findings echo the findings from a similar study in Europe: despite clear evidence, most countries fail to address alcohol harm as cross-cutting obstacle beyond the health SDG, and few countries integrate alcohol policy into SDG strategies.
The researchers – including Movendi’s President Kristina Sperkova – warn that governments are “foregoing huge potential” for development by sidelining alcohol policy as a catalyst for health, equality, and sustainability.
Read the study on the Science Digest
Media Discourse Analysis
Tracking Evolving Narratives
This week’s Media Snapshots trace how narratives about alcohol policy and industry conduct are evolving across regions. Media discourse analysis reveals the tension between corporate spin, the consequences of alcohol industry practices, and community support for policy action.
In Brazil, Big Alcohol exploits a methanol poisoning crisis, pushes ultra-fast delivery, and blocks action on youth harm and rising costs. In Mexico, the story splits: RASA’s advocacy wins national attention for alcohol tax reform, but Heineken’s Yucatán expansion is framed as “sustainable growth,” sparking community backlash over water rights and corporate capture. In South Africa, lawmakers advance an alcohol ad ban, while Diageo hijacks the youth unemployment crisis to polish its image. In Colombia, urgent alcohol tax reform is delayed – despite overwhelming evidence for health and fiscal benefits. And in Sri Lanka, coverage of 22,000 alcohol-related deaths has ignited a rare national reckoning over political inertia and industry interference.
By systematically mapping these storylines, Movendi’s media analysis exposes how industry narratives shape public perception – and how advocates can reclaim the frame with facts, values, and people-centred solutions.
Public Support
People Want Higher Alcohol Taxes
A new global report by Movendi International sets the record straight with the latest worldwide evidence: people and communities support better alcohol policy, including raising alcohol taxes. Across continents, majorities favour higher alcohol taxes, advertising bans, and other health-focused alcohol policy reforms.
The “People Want Higher Alcohol Taxes” report compiles worldwide data showing public appetite for action – and the opportunity for leaders to align policy with people’s values.
Big Alcohol Exposed
Predatory Practices and Interference Under the Spotlight
Two new misconduct reports from Big Alcohol Exposed reveal how AB InBev and its Brazilian subsidiary Ambev exploit digital platforms and entertainment media to deepen market reach and heavy-use profits.
In one case, AB InBev’s “ultra-fast delivery” scheme promises fifteen-minute beer drop-offs – bypassing age controls and public-health safeguards to turn convenience into risk. In another, Ambev converts Netflix programming into covert brand promotion, embedding beer imagery into popular series to normalise alcohol use among younger audiences.
Together, these cases expose how Big Alcohol fuses technology, marketing, and culture to expand its influence and drive consumption.
Explore latest Big Alcohol misconduct cases
From the Movement & For the Movement
Across regions, Movendi members and partners are translating evidence into action – from alcohol taxation advocacy, to public-awareness initiatives, and holding Big Alcohol accountable. Each step advances a shared vision: health, justice, and sustainable development through evidence-based alcohol policy.
From the Movement – Evidence Into Heart-Driven Action
In Sri Lanka, Movendi member organisation ADIC helped spark a national reckoning by releasing new data showing around 22,000 alcohol-related deaths each year. Their work with the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol reignited public and media attention, highlighting the need for improving alcohol policy.
In Mexico, the Red de Acción sobre Alcohol (RASA) – a partner of Movendi and the RESET Alcohol Initiative – turned alcohol taxation into headline news. Through the campaign “Who Pays for the Damage Caused by Alcohol? Healthy Taxes NOW!”, RASA reframed taxation as a question of fairness and accountability, backed by the World Bank and WHO. The push has united public-interest groups and experts to call for a modernized tax system that saves lives and strengthens public finances.
Together, these advocacy efforts show how grassroots leadership, credible data, and value-based framing can shift national conversations – making alcohol harm visible, policy action urgent, and prevention politically possible.
Get inspired by ADIC’s advocacy impact | Get inspired by RASA’s advocacy impact
For the Movement – Building Capacity For the Next Decade of Advocacy
Movendi’s new Alcohol Taxation Advocacy Launchpad turns a decade of global, regional, national, and local experience into practical tools for advocacy.
The platform compiles evidence, success stories, and messaging strategies to help alcohol taxation advocates make the case for fair and smart alcohol taxation.
As governments look for sustainable ways to fund health systems and achieve the SDGs, this resource equips the movement to turn knowledge into impactful advocacy.
Explore the Alcohol Taxation Advocacy Launchpad
Quote of the Week
Ten years into the SDGs, governments across the Americas are still foregoing a huge opportunity to drive progress. Alcohol policy remains an unrecognized catalyst for sustainable development – despite its proven potential to advance health, equality, and economic well-being.
As my 2022 study in the European region showed, the same critical conclusion holds true for countries in the Americas: neglecting alcohol policy means overlooking one of the most effective tools to accelerate progress toward the SDGs.”
Kristína Šperková, International President, Movendi International
