Alcohol economics and politics: the case for policy activism

Many perspectives are being offered with multivalent arguments coloured by economic, health, political, cultural and moral world views. As the debate rages and gains momentum, it is critical that the lessons on both democratic intentions and processes are learned.

Let me state at the outset that it is the responsibility of every accountable Government to seek strategic interventions to solving what cannot simply be brushed aside as matters of personal choice. Alcohol is not simply another economic commodity whose trade should be left to forces of supply and demand in a free market playground, it is destructive and addictive.