Today’s Alcohol Policy News Talk (APNT) hosted by Movendi International offered another valuable opportunity to examine how the alcohol industry influences not only consumption, but also culture, public narratives and policy.
One of the most striking discussions centred on The Glenlivet’s recent South African campaign, which used the legacy of the 1956 Women’s March and the images of prominent women liberation figures to market whisky during Women’s Month. The controversy raises an important question for public health advocates: what happens when powerful symbols of liberation, empowerment and social justice are transformed into commercial marketing tools? Read the full Big Alcohol Exposed analysis
We also reflected on the Kenyan experience, where commercial alcohol has historically been associated with modernity, sophistication and “civilisation,” while traditional alcohol practices were often portrayed as backward. This history helps us understand why alcohol marketing is about more than selling a product—it can also shape social norms, identities and perceptions of what constitutes success or modern life. Read the full analysis in The Conversation
Another important discussion was the industry’s use of illicit alcohol narratives to influence taxation policy. Kenya is among the countries where industry actors have promoted claims about the scale of illicit alcohol markets. Movendi International has documented how industry-commissioned Euromonitor data have been used across countries to challenge alcohol taxation and influence policy debates.
For me, the key takeaway is clear: public health defenders must scrutinise not only alcohol products and their harms, but also the narratives, evidence and strategies used to promote and protect them. We need strong independent evidence, effective industry monitoring and policies that prioritise population health over commercial interests.
Thank you to Movendi International for continuing to create these important spaces for learning and critical discussion. I always look forward to APNT and the opportunity to learn from colleagues working across the global alcohol policy movement.
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ODUOR KEVIN 