Alcohol sector says it wants healthier Netherlands, but obstructing laws to achieve it

While the alcohol industry claims to promote health in the Netherlands, it has been working to oppose legislation, according to new research from Amsterdam UMC. The study examined how Dutch alcohol industry stakeholders have framed alcohol use, related health harms, and prevention policies between 2014 and 2024.

Researchers conclude that, publicly, the alcohol industry promotes a positive image, but behind the scenes, lobbyists create uncertainty to block laws and regulations.

According to the study, the alcohol industry tends to depict alcohol positively in newspaper coverage, highlighting tradition and sociability. “They present themselves as responsible, socially conscious actors, while the health risks and prevention measures receive little attention,” the researchers note.

Health risks associated with alcohol and related preventive policies receive little attention. When communicating with the government, stakeholders present these harms and policies differently, questioning the credibility of scientists and health organizations while casting doubt on alcohol’s dangers.

The alcohol sector has also described proposals for health-protective measures as impractical and ineffective in the past.