Moonshine Markets : Issues in Unrecorded Alcohol Beverage Production and Consumption

Moonshine Markets, the sixth book in the ICAP Series on Alcohol in Society, explores consumption patterns of a type of alcohol that is generally, but not exclusively, illegal in most of the countries where it is consumed.

Though the topic has been touched upon in other books within the series and discussed in recent forums, this book is the first cross-national study of 'local alcohol' (unrecoded, illicit, non-commercial or moonshine - however, one chooses to refer to it).

Central to this book are reports on patterns of consumption of non-branded alcohol in seven countries - Brazil, India, Mexico, Russia, Tanzania, and Zambia - including discussions of the implications of these findings.

Using local consultants, investigators conducted their study of up to 100 families in each country, from the rural and urban areas, using a common methodology and standardized diary system.

The sampling of families were interviewed on their drinking habits over a thirty-day period with attention being given to their religious, educational and socio-economic status.

The second portion of the book examines the common themes emerging form the collected data. Finally, experts in the fields of toxicology, economics, and anthropology as well as representatives of the beverage industry will give commentary.

Dr. Alan Haworth is Prtofessor of Psychiatry at the University of Zambia.

He is President of the Zambia Medical Association, immediate past President of the Zambian REd Cross Society and Chairm