Unpacking policy formulation and industry influence: the case of the draft control of marketing of alcoholic beverages bill in South Africa

Abstract

Alcohol is a major contributor to the Non-Communicable Disease burden in South Africa. In 2000, 7.1% of all deaths and 7% of total disability-adjusted life years were ascribed to alcohol-related harm in the country. Regulations proposed to restrict alcohol advertising in South Africa present an evidence-based upstream intervention. Research on policy formulation in low- and middle-income countries is limited. This study aims to describe and explore the policy formulation process of the 2013 draft Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill in South Africa between March 2011 and May 2017. Recognising the centrality of affected actors in policy-making processes, the study focused on the alcohol industry as a central actor affected by the policy, to understand how they-together with other actors-may influence the policy formulation process. A qualitative case study approach was used, involving a stakeholder mapping, 10 in-depth interviews, and review of approximately 240 documents. A policy formulation conceptual framework was successfully applied as a lens to describe a complex policy formulation process. Key factors shaping policy formulation included: (1) competing and shared values-different stakeholders promote conflicting ideals for policymaking; (2) inter-department jostling-different government departments seek to protect their own functions, hindering policy development; (3) stakeholder consultation in democratic policymaking-policy formulation requires consultations even with those opposed to regulation and (4) battle for evidence-evidence is used strategically by all parties to shape perceptions and leverage positions. This research (1) contributes to building an integrated body of knowledge on policy formulation in low- and middle-income countries; (2) shows that achieving policy coherence across government departments poses a major challenge to achieving effective health policy formulation and (3) shows that networks of actors with commercial and financial interests use diverse strategies to influence policy formulation processes to avoid regulation.

South Africa’s COVID-19 Alcohol Sales Ban: The Potential for Better Policy-Making

“…8 Despite this, lobbying efforts by South Africa's powerful alcohol industry have ensured that business interests take precedence. 9 The Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill placed before Cabinet in 2013 restricts advertising/marketing of alcoholic beverages except at point of sale, sponsorship and promotion of alcoholic beverages. The Bill has been subjected to two regulatoryimpact and one socio-economic assessment, none of which have been made public.…”

Alcohol consumption, harms and policy developments in sub‐Saharan Africa: The case for stronger national and regional responses

“…Other developments that are being planned include proposed legislation reducing the allowable blood alcohol concentration for drivers to zero [31,32], tightening regulations around the marketing and sale of alcohol, and raising the drinking age to 21 years. However, these measures have been stalled, most likely due in part to alcohol industry influence [33]. The government's requirement for impact assessments to be conducted prior to releasing the Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill has seriously delayed its release for public comment [34].…”

“…In South Africa, the government proposed the Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill in 2012 [33], which would ban alcohol advertising when passed into law [49], but its passage and implementation were delayed following agitation by interest groups and the need for socio-economic impact assessments [49]. As Parry et al [34] noted, the spirits industry rejected the proposed Bill and mobilised other interest groups to contest its usefulness.…”

Policy Formulation of The Marine Governance In The Coastal Southern Lebak Regency Banten Province

“…Policy formulation is a stage in the policy cycle (Amanta & Kusumasari, 2019;Bertscher, London, & Orgill, 2018). Studies about policy formulation concentrate on the characteristics of public issues (formulation).…”

“…In a study about the policy formulation, it is important to view how the actors influence the policy formulation. (Bertscher et al, 2018) While Barca (Anderson, 2003;Politecnico, 2017;Riet, 2003;Rijal, Madani, & Fatmawati, 2013) stated when identifying the actors, there are several types of actors based on the way they influence policy decisions: political actors, bureaucratic actors, actors with special interests, actors with general interests, and experts.…”