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Neil Flash of Tonic Life Communications blogs on health-related topics for PR Week

Is alcohol the new tobacco?   

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Since writing my last blog on binge drinking, a new report has been published to offer a solution.  Especially among the young.

Earlier this week the British Medical Association published a report (link takes you to the PDF) entitled: 'Under the influence: The damaging effect of alcohol marketing on young people'.  In this report, a set of nine recommendations are made to the UK Government - including the 'implementation and rigorous enforcement of a comprehensive ban on all alcohol marketing communications'.

I am not going to speculate on the likely positive or negative effects a ban may have on our social or economic picture but I can't help wondering if alcohol is now viewed as the new tobacco.  Casting our minds back to the 1970s, it is rumoured that the US government finally decided to ban tobacco advertising when the social and health costs of managing smoking-related illnesses outweighed the taxation income.

Drink prices keep falling and healthcare keeps rising.  Are we in the same place with alcohol as we were with tobacco?


Published Sep 09 2009, 06:47 PM by Neil Flash

All Comments

Gemma O'Reilly, September 9, 2009

I think it's definitely an interesting debate. However, there is sometimes conflicting advice on drinking - the occassional glass of wine has health benefits we are often told. Whereas smoking has, in recent times, been considered to have none.

I don't personally believe that banning advertising will have a huge effect - but banning drink promotions and cut price offers might be more effective?

 
 
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Pitch-side analysis

Neil Flash of Tonic Life Communications blogs on health-related topics for PR Week

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Neil Flash

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Member since: 05-07-2009

Last login: 03-09-2010

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