Routledge Regulating Alcohol around the World: Policy Cocktails (Solving Social Problems)

With the World Health Organization estimating that nearly four percent of global deaths are due to alcohol, alcohol misuse can be an extremely damaging social problem, and one that governments around the world have endeavored to address through a range of policy strategies. Regulating Alcohol around the World explores historical and contemporary case studies in multiple countries to gain a richer understanding of the political, economic, and other forces that influence alcohol-related policymaking. The case studies presented in the book investigate a range of different kinds of alcohol policies, including prohibition strategies, general efforts to reduce alcohol’s social harms, and more targeted policies. The explanatory value of leading theories from political science, policy studies, anthropology, and other fields is assessed, with particular reference to the influence of cultural and historical factors on approaches to alcohol regulation. The book adopts a global perspective and offers guidance for students, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders about the lessons that can be learned from previous efforts to change alcohol policies. As such, it will be of interest to practitioners in the fields of health and alcohol abuse prevention, as well as scholars and students of social policy, criminology, and the sociology of health, addiction, and social problems. Review A Yankee Book Peddler UK Core Title for 2013 'Recommended. Most levels/libraries.' Choice ’Regulating Alcohol around the World is an engaging, comprehensive look at the successes and failures of scientific evidence, public opinion, and policy proponents informing alcohol policy across the globe. I especially liked the interesting and relevant case studies, in-depth historical and cross-cultural examples, and highly accessible yet scientific explanations of alcohol policy implementation and its effectiveness in various countries.’ Jennifer Schwartz, Washington State University, USA About the Author Tiffany Bergin is Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Kent State University, Ohio, USA, and author of The Evidence Enigma.