A comparative analysis of alcohol education programs sponsored by the beverage alcohol industry

This paper is a comparison of alcohol education programs sponsored by the alcohol beverage industry at two points in time: 1984 and 1996. It shows (I) that trade associations and so called "social aspects organizations" have increased their level of activity regarding alcohol education programs; (2) that independent evaluation of these program activities is being taken more seriously, although there is still room for improvement; (3) that drinking/driving and youth issues continue to dominate program activities; (4) that the message of moderation in alcohol consumption is still a prevalent one, bur that individual responsibility is gaining currency for a number of social aspects organizations; and (5) that the gap between industry funded bodies and public health funding agents is not as great as it once was. The development of partnerships between social aspects organizations and public sector bodies illustrate the alcohol beverage industry's increased interest in preventing the misuse of their products.