FOR YOUR INFORMATION
We share below a number of recent developments. As always, we rely on FIVS Members to apprise us of noteworthy matters. Please contact the FIVS Secretariat with items that may be of interest.
France: Drinks Business interview of Anivin de France Director – Twelve years since its creation, Vin De France has sold over 315 million bottles worldwide, representing approximately 15% of all French wine exports. Read FIVS Member Anivin de France Director Valérie Pajotin’s thoughts regarding that company’s social media strategy and plans for 2022 in this Drinks Business interview.
United States: Susan Evans to retire from TTB – After 33 years of public service, Susan Evans will retire, effective at year’s end, as Director of the Office of Industry and State Outreach at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a bureau under the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Over the years, Susan has attended FIVS meetings and has been extremely helpful to FIVS members.
United States: WineAmerica commends FIVS for sustainability work – WineAmerica President Jim Trezise commends FIVS for its work in the area of environmental sustainability, noting in particular that FIVS is in a unique position – with more than 50 members from 24 countries – to address the challenges of climate change, which requires international perspectives, initiatives, and collaboration. Read Jim’s second installment about FIVS’s contributions to the industry here.
Africa: Heineken to buy Distell for $2.5 billion in Africa expansion – Heineken has reportedly agreed to buy South African wine and spirits maker Distell for $2.5 billion, and may also buy a majority stake in the owner of Namibia Breweries, which exports to 17 countries in addition to South Africa. Heineken also reportedly seeks to counter plunging beer sales in Asia.
Nepal: Groups charge new ban on alcohol ads not justified – Citing Article 45 of the Public Health Service Act, 2018, which prohibits the advertisement of products that have negative effects on public health, the Nepal Advertising Board has prohibited advertisements of alcohol products. In response, Media Alliance Nepal, Radio Broadcasters Forum Nepal, and the Advertising Association of Nepal have reportedly objected, arguing that the ban on advertising these products is not justified, given that the government allows the production, import, sale, and consumption of alcohol beverages and receives billions of rupees in tax revenues from these products. They have called for the immediate amendment of the Public Health Service Act, 2018, to cancel the related provision.
United Kingdom: Calls in Scotland to raise minimum alcohol price – A group of charities and medical experts have urged the Scottish government to increase the minimum unit price (MUP) of alcohol beverages from 50p to 65p, arguing that the positive effects of the policy have been significantly eroded by inflation, while the pandemic eliminated any health improvements among the general population. An MUP of 65p would see an inexpensive litre of vodka at 37.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) increase in price from at least £18.75 to £24.38. The Scottish government committed to review the minimum unit price two years after it began, but the review was delayed due to the pandemic. The Republic of Ireland is due to introduce its own MUP policy on 01 January 2022.
WHO/PAHO
Global: AI worker launched to help reduce harmful drinking – On 19 November 2022, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) launched Pahola, the world’s first digital health worker in an effort to reduce harmful consumption of alcohol. Designed to be compassionate and judgment-free, Pahola reportedly provides general information about the risks of drinking, communicates interactively, helps to assess individual risks, creates plans that include identifying triggers, and refers individuals to treatment services. The WHO’s Director-General issued a statement, noting that new technologies, including artificial intelligence, are powerful tools for expanding access to information and care.
Global: WHO fact sheet on commercial determinants of health – The WHO recently released a Commercial determinants of health (who.int) fact sheet suggesting that corporations “work to capture” branches of government to shape their preferred regimes including unregulated activity, limited liability, and bypassing the threat of litigation. The WHO publication suggests that corporations shape their preferences further through “front groups” that promote their positions. The publication concludes that research is needed on the capabilities of government to avoid “corruption and engagement” with the private sector, although the WHO acknowledges that the private sector has made positive contributions to public health through health interventions such as the introduction of seat belts and providing sick leave and access to health insurance.
Russia: Taskforce may ban alcohol sale to the unvaccinated – A taskforce established to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Sverdlovsk region of Russia reportedly may ban the sale of alcohol beverages to individuals who do not have a QR code proving that they have been vaccinated. The initiative reportedly was first proposed by a local restauranteur to encourage people to get vaccinated.
NOTE: We make no warranty of any kind regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information in these FIVS Alerts; nor do we necessarily support or agree with views expressed or contained therein.