About Global Alcohol Producers Group (GAP Group)
Established in 2005, the Global Alcohol Producers Group (GAP Group) is an industry coalition representing leading international beer, wine and spirits companies. It provides a channel for the World Health Organisation (WHO), member state governments and stakeholders of the WHO to engage in constructive dialogue with some of the leading alcohol beverage companies on health problems caused by harmful drinking patterns. The companies are deeply committed to continuing to work in partnership with WHO Members and other stakeholders to prevent and mitigate alcohol abuse and misuse effectively.

International efforts to reduce harmful use of alcohol
At the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2010, the 193 member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted a resolution entitled “Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.” This followed three years of work by WHO and member states preparing the global strategy, which included consultations with intergovernmental organizations, health professionals, non-governmental organisations and economic operators (including alcohol producers) on ways they could contribute to reducing the harmful use of alcohol.

The GAP Group believes the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol adopted by the WHA is an important and constructive step forward in helping address alcohol issues around the world. The strategy acknowledges the significance of different national, religious and cultural contexts for alcohol and proposes a menu of options that Member States may tailor to their cultures in order to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. The strategy also recognizes the need for the involvement of all stakeholders, including the industry, and the importance of self-regulation in helping address alcohol abuse. Members of GAP Group plan to work constructively with WHO and Member States to help promote implementation of the strategy by supporting and contributing to feasible and effective policies that help reduce harmful drinking.