Public Health Publication Centre; AOTEAROA; New Zealand; 1 December 2025; Andy Towers , Chrissy Severinsen, Antonia Lyons , Felicity Ware, David Newcombe, Mark Esekielu;
Summary
Growing expert consensus confirms there is no safe level of alcohol use for health. Largescale studies now show that alcohol use increases the risk of many chronic diseases in a clear dose–response pattern, even at low levels of consumption. Many countries have acted on this evidence by lowering their national low-risk drinking advice (LRDA). Aotearoa New Zealand is now reviewing its own guidelines – a positive and overdue step.
However, this process faces a key challenge: interference from the alcohol industry. Research shows the industry routinely lobbies policymakers, funds or amplifies misleading research, and frames alcohol harm as a matter of individual responsibility rather than an outcome of commercial practice. These tactics closely mirror those used by the tobacco industry. To protect the public and ensure evidence-based public health policy (including the LRDA), stronger safeguards are needed. These include: advocating for a Framework Convention on Alcohol Control to limit industry interference; strengthening rules on political lobbying, donations and movement between government and industry to ensure that alcohol policy
serves public interest; preventing the alcohol industry from providing misleading information to children and the public; and, acknowledging and acting on the growing evidence of harm from alcohol to both users and communities.
What this Briefing adds
Research now shows that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption and that health harm occurs even at low levels of consumption. Aotearoa New Zealand is reviewing its low-risk drinking advice (LRDA)
following similar moves by several other countries that have recently updated their advice.
The alcohol industry’s influence across governance, research, and policy poses a risk to the integrity and outcomes of the LRDA review if left unchecked.
This influence can be reduced by introducing tighter rules on political access and lobbying, preventing industry involvement in education and public information on alcohol harm, and recognising the growing evidence that alcohol harms both individuals and communities. Implications for policy and practice
Aotearoa New Zealand should update its LRDA to reflect current international evidence and align with global best practice.
The alcohol industry should be excluded from influencing policymakers and health policy, and prevented from delivering education or information to children and the public about alcohol harm.