Under the influence: system-level effects of alcohol industry-funded health information organizations.

This article examines the strategic roles of alcohol industry-funded alcohol information organizations (IFAIOs), often registered as charities, in shaping public understanding, policy, and health promotion related to alcohol. It presents evidence that these organizations, including Drinkaware (UK), DrinkWise (Australia), and others, produce content aligned with industry narratives emphasizing personal responsibility and minimizing the role of industry practices in alcohol-related harms. By presenting themselves as independent, these organizations facilitate partnerships with governments and public health bodies, potentially normalizing alcohol consumption and diverting attention from effective population-level regulatory measures. The article highlights concerns that such organizations contribute to policy substitution, undermine public health goals, and may mislead consumers about alcohol risks, calling for greater scrutiny of their influence within broader commercial determinants of health frameworks.