Alcohol ads debate rages on
25% of young people binge-drink and 78% see alcohol advertised through sport
THE DEBATE surrounding the banning of alcohol advertising sponsorships in sport is raging on, and advocacy group the Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance (Saapa) held discussions yesterday to explore alternative funding options.
“Alcohol is no ordinary commodity – it plays a role in interpersonal violence, gender-based violence, road traffic crashes, reduced productivity, unsafe sex and severe chronic disorders such as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, gastritis and pancreatic disease.
“Adolescent consumption impacts on their physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioural development,” said Saapa spokesperson Aadielah Maker Diedericks.
The alliance dialogue discussed alternative funding options on how big brands could make money without alcohol advertising.
“We want to prevent harm in our society. What we are saying is that the amateur sports industry has the capacity to move forward without this advertising,” said Professor Leslie London from the University of Cape Town’s health and science faculty.
According to Saapa, 25% of young people binge-drink and 12% of under 13-year-olds said they had drunk alcohol in the past month.
“There are 171 deaths every day due to alcohol and 78% of young people report seeing alcohol advertised through sport.
“Government spends R245 billion annually on alcohol-related harm. We understand the concerns of the SABC and newspapers who rely on these adverts, and we believe there are other ways to prevent alcohol being advertised,” London said.
Earlier this year, the Department of Health said it was seeking a ban on alcohol advertising in the controversial Liquor Amendment Bill that is before the cabinet.
If Parliament passes the bill, it could result in alcohol advertising on radio and television being banned from 6am to 10pm and the age limit for drinking being raised from 18 to 21 years.
Alcohol-related health and crime incidents reportedly cost the government billions of rand every year, with health costs alone estimated at 5% of total public-health spending.
“I think we are targeting mostly adverts because of youngsters who see alcohol being glamorised,” said Professor Neo Morojele, chief specialist scientist and the deputy director of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council.
She said the only way alcohol consumption could be reduced was if government intervened.
“Obviously alcohol will still be around, but the only way we (can) reduce consumption is through legislation and clamping down on illegal liquor outlets in communities, which is a huge problem.”
ALCOHOL-RELATED HEALTH AND CRIME INCIDENTS COST THE GOVERNMENT MILLIONS A YEAR