Late last year South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the possibility of a ban on alcohol advertisements. This sparked a lively debate between proponents and opponents, in which a central subject was who would be hit by such a measure, drinkers, drinks producers, marketing companies or the South African economy as a whole. This … Read More →
The Irish government is preparing legislation that forces alcohol producers to print health warnings on bottles, cans and all promotional material. Minister of Health James Reilly is still waiting on recommendations of the National Substance Misuse Strategy steering group before he makes definite decisions. However Mr. Reily has spoken out in favor of more comprehensive … Read More →
Last month Bacardi Limited has started a marketing campaign advocating responsible drinking. The campaign prominently features the world’s number one tennis player Raphael Nadal. The slogan for the campaign is ‘Champions drink responsible’, which might be in breach of Bacardi’s voluntary marketing regulations. As a member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States … Read More →
Last month British member of parliament and general practitioner Sarah Wollaston pleaded to launch a total ban on alcohol advertising on television. Her plan would also prohibit alcohol brands being used to sponsor sporting and cultural events. The plan is supported by a wide range of political parties and health experts. With her plans dr. … Read More →
In February 2011 the Dutch Directorate for the Media ruled that the STER (the sales organization for advertising on radio and tv of the public service broadcaster) had violated the new Dutch Media Law. The STER received a financial penalty of 35.000 euro for broadcasting alcohol commercials for Heineken and Bavaria beer before 21.00h on … Read More →
A new trend may be emerging in the USA, where action against supersized alcopops has been undertaken by both policy makers and the alcohol industry watchdog Marin Institute. In the state Vermont a bill has been introduced banning the sale of flavored malt beverages in containers larger than 12 ounces. The Marin Institute meanwhile has … Read More →
A recent study based on a 2004 national survey of 2257 children between 11 and 16 in Zambia shows that children beeing exposed to alcohol marketing are more often drunk then those not exposed. The article also shows that education that underscores the dangers of alcohol had no effect on the drinking behaviour of the … Read More →
This month International Press Agency Reuters reported that the market for alcoholic drinks is booming in the Muslim Gulf. Alcohol producers like Heineken and Diageo are trying to generate interest for their products in the Gulf region using sports sponsorship, by targeting the richer denizens and by introducing non-alcohol alternatives. While Islam prohibits the consumption … Read More →
The Finnish Parliament has been discussing alcohol marketing restrictions since 2008. While hopes were high, march 2011 saw a disappointing conclusion to this discussion when Minister of Health and Social Services Risikko ignored a parliamentary initiative and instead proposed an ineffective and vague Government’s Act. In reaction to this 11 health and social organisations now … Read More →
In Malawi there was an encouraging political process last year which aimed at banning the sale of liquor in plastic sachets. Now, as a result of a court decision, the process has stalled. Governments and NGOs have their hands tied up by the court injunction, while the strong liquor continues to be sold to minors, … Read More →