Alcohol policy in a Russian region: a stakeholder analysis

Abstract

Background: Male life expectancy in the Russian Federation, at 60 years, is the lowest in Europe. Several factors contribute to this situation, but hazardous consumption of alcohol is especially a key factor. Methods: We undertook a stakeholder analysis in a typical Russian region located on the western side of the Urals. Organizations with a stake in alcohol policy in the region were identified by snowball sampling and information on their position and influence on alcohol policy was elicited from interviews with key informants. Their interests and influence were mapped and their relationships plotted. Results: Twenty-nine stakeholder organizations were identified and 43 interviews were conducted with their staff. The most influential actors were the Federal and regional governments, large beer producers and manufacturers of strong alcohols. However, the majority of organizations that might be expected to play a role in developing or implementing alcohol control policies were almost entirely disengaged and fragmented. No evidence was found of an existing or emerging multi-sectoral coalition for developing alcohol policy to improve health. Organizations that might be expected to contribute to tackling hazardous drinking had little understanding of what might be effective. Conclusions: While stakeholders with an interest in maintaining or increasing alcohol consumption are engaged and influential, those who might seek to reduce it either take a very narrow perspective or are disengaged from the policy agenda. There is a need to mobilize actors who might contribute to effective policies while challenging those who can block them.

Inequalities in addressing the HIV epidemic: the story of the Indonesian Ojek community

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Influencing Organizations to Promote Health

“…The authors, however, did not explore how this process might happen, what characteristics a stakeholder should possess (e.g., power, influence), and what methods should be used to reach a more prominent influencing position. Gil et al (2010) explored the context of policy making on alcohol in Russia. Using a detailed stakeholders' analysis, they mapped the stakeholders' influence and interest on alcohol policy as well as their relationships, in a typical Russian region.…”

Psychological Distress and Problem Drinking

“…Our findings suggest that more effective alcohol policies and treatment services in the region may have added benefits in terms of reducing poor mental health, and studies from other regions have shown that treatment for harmful alcohol use can result in a reduction of symptoms of mental disorders (Baker, et al, 2010;Kelly, Stout, Magill, Tonigan, & Pagano, 2010). However, despite the high levels of harmful alcohol consumption and associated burden of poor mental and physical health, recent government alcohol control policies in the region have been marked by limited ambition, lack of engagement and fragmentation among key actors, whereas the larger alcohol producers have become very influential in blocking action (Gil, Polikina, Koroleva, Leon, & McKee, 2010;Nemtsov, 2011;Roberts, et al, 2012a;WHO, 2011a). Although there have been some price controls implemented in Russia on vodka and price controls proposed in Belarus and Ukraine, more concerted action is still urgently required in the fSU, especially given recent evidence that tax policies are equally effective in deterring alcohol consumption for those with high and lower propensity for alcohol use (Dave & Saffer, 2008).…”