Alcohol control policies and mortality trends in Belarus.

Background and Aim: Belarus is among the countries that have very high alcohol consumption levels, and that suffer from a huge burden of excessive drinking. This paper aims to explore the peculiarities of the alcohol control policies implemented in Belarus, and to link these policies to the trends in alcohol consumption and mortality.
Data and Methods: Our narrative review of alcohol policies and anti-alcohol measures is based on the laws, directives and other official documents issued by Belarusian authorities since the early 1990s. The data on alcohol consumption and other relevant variables originate from official statistical books. Our analysis of mortality trends is based upon official statistical tables by causes of death.
Results: Despite the large number of government policy initiatives that authorities claimed were controlling the problem, alcohol consumption in Belarus grew rapidly up to 2010, when it reached the highest level in the world. This negative trend can be largely attributed to inconsistent alcohol control policies. In particular, the implementation of excise taxes encouraged the manufacturing of inexpensive fortified fruit wines. Additionally, measures designed to raise the price of alcohol were inadequate, resulting in strong alcoholic drinks (e.g. vodka) becoming more affordable. However, the third anti-alcohol campaign, which was launched in 2011, led to declines in both alcohol consumption and alcohol-related mortality.
Conclusions: Belarus has acquired the experience and the legislative foundation needed to implement effective alcohol control polices. To further reduce alcohol-related harm in Belarus, a steady and consistent long-term policy perspective is required.
(© 2020 The Authors. Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.)