RATIONALE
Our Theory of Change explained
ADVOCACY FOR EFFECTIVE HIGH IMPACT POLICY SOLUTIONS
Alcohol causes 108 million DALYs (4.3% of the Global Disease Burden) a year and 2.8 million deaths. The World Health Organization has identified alcohol taxation as one of the best-buys to reduce alcohol related harm. Our preliminary cost-effectiveness analysis also suggests our intervention has the potential to be highly cost-effective with less than $ 100 per DALY averted.
Although the magnitude of this problem and its solution is known, many countries do not have (modern/updated) taxation systems for alcohol in place. This is what CAPS aims to change.
Raising taxes on alcohol to 40% of the retail price could have an even bigger impact than a 50% increase in tobacco taxation. Estimates for 12 low-income countries show that consumption levels would fall by more than 10%, while tax revenues would more than triple to a level amounting to 38% of total health spending in those countries.
MOBILISATION OF POLITICAL WILL TO TO INTRODUCE AND IMPLEMENT LEGISLATION
Currently, 95% of the world's countries do have some kind of alcohol taxation but only very few of them use this mechanism for the purpose of public health promotion. The potential of alcohol taxation is underutilized and alcohol is becoming more affordable in many parts of the world.
Through our advocacy work we aim to facilitate an introduction of public health oriented alcohol taxation that would reduce total alcohol consumption and with it alcohol related harm.
MILLIONS OF LIVES SAVED AND DOMESTIC RESOURCES MOBILISED
When alcohol taxation is public health oriented and well implemented it brings a triple win: 1. Achieves public health 2. Raises domestic resources 3. Enhances equity and reduces negative social externalities
Revenues from excise tax, alcohol company taxes, and licensing fees could also help cover, or even meet, the costs of a comprehensive alcohol control programme, the prevention and treatment of disorders caused by alcohol use, as well as contributing to the funding of other health and development priorities
