Impact of Market Forces on Addictive Substances and Behaviours: The Web of Influence of Addictive Industries

This book examines the ‘web of influence’ formed by industries which manufacture and sell ‘addictive’ products in the EU. The differences between alcohol, food, gambling, and tobacco as consumer products are obvious. However, we explore whether food, alcohol, and gambling industries are merely replicating tobacco tactics or innovating in corporate strategy. Using a new data set on corporate networks formed by the tobacco, alcohol, food, and gambling industries at the EU level, the book shows the interlocking connections between corporations, trade associations, and policy intermediaries, including lobbyists and think tanks. Quantitative data guide qualitative studies on the content of corporate strategy and the attempts of corporations to ‘capture’ policy and three crucial ancillary domains—science, civil society, and the news and promotional media. The effects of these three arenas on policy networks and outcomes are examined with a focus on new forms of policy partnership such as corporate social responsibility and partnership governance. Drawing on our structural data, we show the comprehensive engagement of industry with science-policy issues in the EU, the ways that corporations can dominate agendas and decision making, as well as the potential for popular pressures and public health agendas to be effective. The book concludes by asking what solutions might be possible to the evident public health challenges posed by the addictions web of influence. It proposes key evidence-based transparency and public health reforms that have the best chance of minimizing the burden of disease from addictions in the medium to long term.