Text 9. Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a very serious addiction. In groups, discuss the following statements. Do you agree or disagree?

We should ban all media advertising of alcoholic drinks.'

We should impose restrictions on media advertising of alcoholic drinks.

We should increase the price of alcoholic products in order to deter consumption.

Alcoholic drinks should carry warning labels (like cigarettes).

The measures above would reduce the consumption of alcohol.

Read the following text. Comment on it. Does it agree or disagree with the statements above?

Alcoholic drinks are legitimate products that meet a clearly established and longstanding consumer demand. They generate income, tax revenues and jobs worldwide. As a manufacturer of high quality products the company has the right to market and promote its goods in a responsible manner.

However, the range of concerns over alcohol has led to calls on restrictions on drinks promotion in order to minimise the alleged adverse effects. Such restrictions will not reach or help problem drinkers, who need to be addressed by various treatment programmes.

Some people believe that there is a direct relationship between the number of people abusing alcohol and overall alcohol consumption. It is claimed that, by controlling the price and availability of drink and by imposing restrictions on advertising, consumption will be reduced and, consequently, alcohol abuse will decline. But evidence from the marketplace and considerable academic research lave consistently failed to demonstrate that a clear relationship between levels of consumption and abuse exists.

In those countries where taxation has been used to increase price and reduce consumption, alcohol abuse still persists. Consumers have often resorted to illicit sources of alcohol, such as moonshine, or smuggled products. In Sweden, for example, where taxation has been used to deter consumption, there has been no discernible reduction in levels of alcohol abuse.

There is no evidence to suggest that the banning of advertising has any discernible effect upon alcohol abuse. In countries where advertising has been tanned, consumption is increasing. While in countries where advertising is widespread, alcohol consumption is declining.

The effect of alcohol advertising is not to increase overall consumption, but rather to persuade consumers to select one brand over another.

Some countries believe that drinks should carry warning labels. Again, this is m attempted solution that does not address the problem. Alcohol abusers are unlikely to heed such warnings and would be better served by educational approaches.

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