Journal article
"Everyone Has the Right to Drink Beer": A Stakeholder Analysis of Challenges to Youth Alcohol Harm-Reduction Policies in Lebanon
International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.16(16), p.2874
08/12/2019
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16162874
PMCID: PMC6719017
PMID: 31408935
Abstract
Alcohol use is a major risk factor in premature death and disability, especially among youth. Evidence-based policies to prevent and control the detrimental effect of alcohol use have been recommended. In countries with weak alcohol control policies-such as Lebanon, stakeholder analysis provides critical information to influence policy interventions. This paper assesses the views of stakeholders regarding a national alcohol harm reduction policy for youth.
We interviewed a total of 22 key stakeholders over a period of 8 months in 2015. Stakeholders were selected purposively, to include representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations and industry that could answer questions related to core intervention areas: affordability, availability, regulation of marketing, and drinking and driving. We analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis.
Three themes emerged: Inadequacy of current alcohol control policies; weak governance and disregard for rule of law as a determinant of the status quo; and diverting of responsibility towards 'other' stakeholders. In addition, industry representatives argued against evidence-based policies using time-worn strategies identified globally.
Our findings indicate that alcohol harm reduction policies are far from becoming a policy priority in Lebanon. There is a clear need to shift the narrative from victim blaming to structural conditions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- "Everyone Has the Right to Drink Beer": A Stakeholder Analysis of Challenges to Youth Alcohol Harm-Reduction Policies in Lebanon
- Creators
- Rima T Nakkash - Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, LebanonLilian A Ghandour - Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, LebanonNasser Yassin - Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, LebanonSirine Anouti - Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, LebanonAli Chalak - Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, LebanonSara Chehab - Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, LebanonAida El-Aily - Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107-2020, LebanonRima A Afifi - Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, IA 52242, USA. rima-afifi@uiowa.edu
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.16(16), p.2874
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijerph16162874
- PMID
- 31408935
- PMCID
- PMC6719017
- NLM abbreviation
- Int J Environ Res Public Health
- ISSN
- 1661-7827
- eISSN
- 1660-4601
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/501100000193, name: International Development Research Centre, award: 107201-001
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/12/2019
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984214719802771
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