Bernard Basset, president of Addictions France, highlights a disconnect between public awareness of alcohol as a drug and the political class’s stance on consumption. With a reported 13% decrease in daily alcohol consumption among the French from 2021 to 2023, the public acknowledges the negative health impacts, yet politicians like Health Minister Yannick Neuder oppose tax increases. Basset criticizes the alcohol industry’s portrayal of drinking as a refined pleasure, noting that many consumers opt for lower-quality options.