Does the Law Hold Liquor? Towards a Stronger Normative Framing of Alcohol

Abstract Alcohol is the direct cause of nearly 5% of all global deaths, making it the seventh leading risk factor for death and disability. Nonetheless, the role of law in reducing alcohol-related harm has received remarkably little attention. This article has two objectives. Firstly, it examines how the law is currently utilised to mitigate health harms resulting from alcohol consumption. The article takes The Netherlands as an example to contrast the policy objectives behind current alcohol legislation with contemporary health evidence. This doctrinal analysis reveals opportunities for enhanced health protection. Secondly, it investigates the normative space that international and European norms relating to human rights and international economic law leave for lawmakers to restrict alcohol legislation. It concludes that interpreting alcohol regulation through an international human rights perspective enables, and may even compel, states to strengthen their regulatory efforts in the interest of public health.