Historic and current achievements of the temperance movement in the control of alcohol and its adverse health consequences

Abstract

Setting

The study aims to assess firstly, the historical (pre-2000) achievements in the control of alcohol and its adverse health consequences in the nine developed countries with mass temperance movements. Currently (post-2000), it looks at achievements in developed countries more generally, including these nine countries.

Methods

The study is a policy analysis conducted within an historical timeframe. This principally involves the historical impacts on government schemes regulating alcohol as well as individual alcohol consumption and its consequences. Trends since 2000 in alcohol consumption in young people in high-income temperance cultures are also examined.

Results and conclusion

Substantial alcohol-related public health impacts have occurred in almost all of the nine countries, either on relevant government schemes and/or individual alcohol consumption. Regarding government schemes, five of the nine temperance countries, and in part a sixth (the US), retain government store monopoly systems, offering heavily-taxed spirits with limits on their accessibility. Impacts on individual consumption in these countries, where studied, were positive. Consumption in young people since 2000 in high income countries is lower in temperance than non-temperance countries.

It is concluded that temperance culture has had substantial and enduring governmental and individual public health impacts relating to alcohol consumption.