Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) has presented urgent recommendations titled, “Exercise political leadership to advance NCD control by regulating the availability of alcoholic beverages as a commercial determinant of health” ahead of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well being (HLM4), which will take place in September 2025.

These recommendations were compiled independently and from a neutral standpoint after holding interviews with experts, conducting desk research, and holding discussions with the WHO Civil Society Working Group on NCDs (which is the WHO’s official scheme for gathering opinions from civil society) and with members of NCD Alliance, which HGPI serves as secretariat for Japan. HGPI will continue contributing to stronger industry, government, academia, and civil society collaboration to ensure Japan can take the opportunities provided by HLM4 to exercise leadership and contribute to addressing issues in global health.

Civil society organizations that have endorsed these recommendations are the Network to establish and promote the Basic Act on Measures against Alcohol-related Health Harm (AL-HOU-NET), Approved Specified Nonprofit Corporation to Prevent Alcohol and Other Addiction Related Problems(ASK), the Association of Consumer Organizations(SHUFUREN), and the Aichi Study Group on Cooperative Healthcare for Alcohol.

Recommendation 1: Provide global leadership in regulating the availability of alcoholic beverages.

Recommendation 2: Advance policies that are centered on people living with health concerns caused by alcohol and the people close to them.

Recommendation 3: Strengthen restrictions on the availability of alcoholic beverages and advance NCD control through measures that cut across ministries and sectors.

For details, please see the PDF linked below.