The alcohol industry’s involvement with road safety NGOs

Stein, Ivy; Bachani, Abdulgafoor M.; Hoe, Connie · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1186/s12992-022-00813-9

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Summary

This study investigates the extent and nature of the alcohol industry’s involvement with road safety non-governmental organizations (NGOs) globally. The research is motivated by the significant public health burden of road crashes, which are a leading cause of death for individuals aged 5–29, with alcohol contributing to 5–35% of these fatalities. While major alcohol producers have pledged to combat drink-driving through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, evidence suggests these efforts often prioritize brand reputation over effective harm reduction. The authors aimed to fill a research gap regarding the alcohol industry’s influence on road safety NGOs, a tactic used to gain legitimacy as a public health champion. The researchers conducted a desk review between July 2020 and March 2021, identifying 256 road safety NGOs across 92 countries via Google searches and WHO lists. They analyzed websites, social media platforms, financial documents, press releases, and conference materials to uncover direct or indirect ties to the alcohol industry. Relationships were defined broadly to include financial partnerships, personnel overlaps, and associations with industry-funded front groups. The study also examined the types of interventions supported by these partnerships and the level of public transparency regarding funding and terms. The results revealed that 11 NGOs (4%) had direct ties to the alcohol industry, and 3 NGOs (1%) had indirect ties. Of the 11 directly tied NGOs, 73% partnered with transnational manufacturers such as Diageo, Heineken, and Anheuser-Busch InBev. These partnerships were distributed across five continents. The interventions supported were primarily mass media campaigns, free-ride or ride-sharing promotions, and educational events at nightclubs, often featuring alcoholic beverages. The authors note that these strategies are largely inconsistent with evidence-based best practices, such as strict blood alcohol limits or sobriety checkpoints. Furthermore, none of the 11 direct partnerships publicly disclosed comprehensive details regarding funding amounts or partnership terms, indicating a significant lack of transparency. One NGO was also found to have ties to the tobacco industry. The study concludes that the alcohol industry actively partners with road safety NGOs globally, primarily to enhance its public image rather than to implement effective public health measures. The lack of transparency obscures the true scope of industry influence and potential conflicts of interest. The authors argue that this reliance on industry funding undermines the integrity of road safety initiatives. They recommend that governments increase support for road safety NGOs to reduce dependence on controversial industry funding, that NGOs and the industry improve disclosure practices, and that the road safety community establish consensus on acceptable industry involvement. These findings highlight the need for stricter oversight of corporate political activity in public health domains.

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