Belgium is opposing a proposed EU regulation that would allow wines with up to 6% alcohol by volume to be labeled as “low-alcohol,” arguing that the term is misleading and could undermine public health. Belgian health authorities insist that such labeling breaks with established food law practices, risks giving consumers a false sense of safety, and should be replaced with the more accurate term “reduced alcohol content.” The final decision now rests with the European Parliament, wher...| Movendi International
A major U.S. government study confirming the link between alcohol and cancer has been buried by the Trump administration, despite being intended to inform the 2025 Dietary Guidelines. The Alcohol Intake and Health Study found that even low levels of alcohol use increase the risk of death and cancer, especially for women - but it was sidelined in favor of a scientifically inferior, alcohol industry-favored report from the National Academies. This suppression reflects the alcohol industry’s g...| Movendi International
The New Zealand government has pushed through alcohol law changes that strip away community protections, silence national health advocates, and expand unfair and harmful privileges for the alcohol industry. These changes worsen licensing oversight, increase alcohol availability, and normalize harmful products in everyday life, all while ignoring the country’s $9 billion alcohol harm burden. By prioritizing Big Alcohol’s interests over people’s health and rights, the government is taking...| Movendi International
A case study of Kenya’s new alcohol policy reveals overwhelming public support, strong community advocacy, and an aggressive backlash driven by industry-linked misinformation. Kenya’s newly adopted National Alcohol Policy has sparked a heated public debate, revealing both widespread community support and a wave of misleading industry-driven attacks. While media outlets and political voices linked to the alcohol industry claim there is a nationwide backlash, closer analysis shows the oppos...| Movendi International
Alcohol policy is one of the most powerful tools African countries can use to unlock health and development progress. Across the continent, people are calling for action and governments are beginning to respond, but the alcohol industry’s harmful practices still stand in the way. At WHO AFRO RCM75, Movendi International is making the case for ambitious alcohol policy action as a catalyst for healthier people, stronger communities, and fairer societies. The post Movendi at WHO AFRO RCM75: Pu...| Movendi International
Newly released government papers expose how Big Alcohol lobbyists in New Zealand worked to block effective alcohol policies. The Ministry of Health shared draft strategies with alcohol industry lobby groups, while withholding them from the public, and paused reforms after lobbying pressure. The documents reveal industry opposition to proven WHO measures such as higher taxes, lowered availability, and ending alcohol sponsorship in sport. They also show how the industry dismissed credible estim...| Movendi International
Alcohol industry language, no alcohol policy action: UN Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health risks becoming meaningless. Alcohol industry interference in the drafting of the political declaration of the fourth high-level meeting on NCDs and mental health has quietly erased proven, cost-effective alcohol policy measures - despite alcohol being the leading risk factor for death and disease among young people worldwide. While tobacco is treated with specificity and urgency, alcohol po...| Movendi International
VAST Ghana is stepping up for alcohol taxation. Following successful advocacy work for Ghana to raise alcohol taxes in 2023, VAST is now stepping up again to defend the public health achievement. The Excise Duty Act, with tax rates up to 47.5%, is credited with curbing alcohol harm, yet it now faces pushback from the alcohol industry. VAST Ghana urges lawmakers to resist pressure and instead strengthen tax policy by adopting a hybrid system and indexing for inflation.| Movendi International