This study highlighted the success of public health advocacy in Malawi in countering industry interference through evidence-based advocacy, community engagement, and strategic coalition-building that led to a complete ban of alcohol sachets.
The study offers lessons on the value of coalitions, the importance of framing alcohol regulations as public health protections, and of developing robust implementation mechanisms.
Recommended citation:
Uny, I., Magalasi, D., Orgill, M., Namanda, C., Mitchell, G., Tumwesigye, N. M., Bauld, L., Parry, C., Fitzgerald, N., & Kaneka, B. (2025). Competing coalitions in alcohol policymaking in Malawi: A retrospective case study analysis of the alcohol sachet ban. International Journal of Drug Policy, 145, 104979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104979