China’s Changing Alcohol Market and Need for an Enhanced Policy Response: A Narrative Review

Shiwei Liu, Fulin Huang, Xiaolei Zhu, Suhua Zhou, Xiang Si, Yan Zhao, Yang Liu, Xiaochang Zhang and Sally Casswell
Additional contact information
Shiwei Liu: Tobacco Control Office, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
Fulin Huang: Tobacco Control Office, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
Xiaolei Zhu: Noncommunicable Disease and Aging Health Management Division, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
Suhua Zhou: Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
Xiang Si: Noncommunicable Disease and Aging Health Management Division, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
Yan Zhao: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhehot 010110, China
Yang Liu: Tobacco Control Office, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
Xiaochang Zhang: Noncommunicable Disease and Aging Health Management Division, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
Sally Casswell: Social and Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation (SHORE), SHORE & Whariki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, P.O. Box 6137, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-9

Abstract: This study describes trends in alcohol consumption in the context of an expanding commercial context, current policy responses, and flaws in relation to international best practice for alcohol control in China. We surveyed the literature and other documents in Chinese or English up to December 2020 on policy responses to alcohol consumption and harm, industry structure, and marketing practices in China. Databases searched included PubMed, China National Knowledge Internet, Wanfang Data, Web of Science, and Baidu Scholar. We also scanned the official websites of government organizations and gathered information using snowballing. We analyzed existing alcohol policy against evidence-based, cost-effective policies for reducing alcohol harm. Our findings show that although some restrictive policies have been enacted with potential impacts on alcohol harm, they are not comprehensive, and some are poorly executed. The long history of alcohol use remains an important element in alcohol consumption by the Chinese population. However, alcohol marketing and promotion, ease of access, and affordability have become increasingly prominent. The gaps identified in alcohol policy suggest improved strategies and measures to reduce the harmful use of alcohol are urgently needed in China.

Keywords: China; alcohol; industry; marketing; consumption; affordability; policy response (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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