Alcohol control: issues in taxing, production, and distribution

Many developing nations are experiencing increasing problems associated with their people's increasing use of the drug alcohol. Economic interests and the governments' need for revenue are predominant and obscure the need for the governments to accept their public health responsibilities. As indicated in this paper, the control of alcohol problems requires developing nations' governments to take a balanced approach to taxing, production, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, the UN and the developed nations must participate in these endeavors to ensure that the developing nations will not be exploited commercially.