Moonshine

By some estimates, over half the beverage alcohol consumed around the world is “unrecorded.”  Often called “non-commercial alcohol” or “moonshine,” these beverages are generally not taxed or regulated, and their sale and purchase cannot be easily monitored or quantified.   In many parts of the world, “moonshine” is an integral part of the drinking culture.  While much non-commercially produced alcohol is of high quality, low quality, contaminated, or even toxic beverages can represent a serious public health problem.

• Key Facts and Issues
• Blue Book Module: Non-commercial Alcohol (146 KB .pdf)
• Further Resources

ICAP Blue Book
Practical Guides for Alcohol Policy
and Prevention Approaches

The ICAP Blue Book offers a comprehensive guide to the key issues in alcohol policy development, and an integrated approach to prevention. It draws upon the best available research and experience from around the world.

As a policy guide, the ICAP Blue Book is based on three principles:

drinking patterns and their outcomes as a sound scientific basis for policy development;

targeted interventions that address specific "at-risk" populations, potentially harmful contexts and drinking patterns;

partnerships that allow the inclusion of the public and private sectors, the community and civil society all working towards a common goal.

It is intended as a tool to assist those seeking guidance in developing policy and prevention approaches, be they governments, intergovernmental organizations, public health officials and specialists, researchers, non-governmental organizations, the beverage alcohol industry and its related bodies, or civil society organizations interested in alcohol policy development.

Click here for the ICAP Blue Book Module on Non-commercial Alcohol. (146 KB .pdf)

Click here for the entire ICAP Blue Book.