We’re so proud to launch the Law & Alcohol Policy Brief for the Western Pacific Region!
This new resource is designed for parliamentarians, health officials, and public servants working on legal and policy reform. It highlights why regulating alcohol is a public health priority — and how to do it effectively.
Why regulate alcohol use?
- Alcohol is a major risk factor for cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
- In 2019, there were 485,424 alcohol-attributable deaths in the Western Pacific Region.
- Many of the WHO Best Buys for alcohol harm reduction require strong laws and regulations.
- Alcohol harm affects not just the drinker, but families, communities, and road users — making alcohol policy a cross-sectoral issue.
What’s inside the brief:
- Guidance on introducing strong alcohol control laws.
- Global resources to support legal reform.
- Case studies from countries that have successfully implemented change.
This launch, as part of our work as the WHO Collaborating Centre on Law and Noncommunicable Disease, comes at a pivotal moment, as the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific recently endorsed a resolution to accelerate implementation of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030.
Let’s continue to work together to strengthen alcohol policy and protect public health across the region.
See Law & Alcohol Policy Brief for the Western Pacific Region here: Alcohol-Policy-Brief-FINAL.pdf
See more on the WHO resolution: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news/item/24-10-2025-who-western-pacific-member-states-take-action-on-key-health-priorities