Direct Link Found Between Alcohol Sponsorship And Hazardous Drinking Among Sportspeople

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 18 Nov 2008 - 8:00 PST

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Commenting on a new report by the University of Manchester that finds a direct link between alcohol sponsorship in the sports industry and hazardous drinking among sportspeople, Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance said:

"This study, undertaken in a country with a similar sports and drinking culture to our own, gives the stark messages that hazardous drinking, common in sport, is seen more when the individual or club is sponsored by the drinks industry. Providing discounted or free alcoholic drinks was the worst offender. Alcohol producers and retailers have worked long and hard to align themselves to the positive and healthy image of sport, and we now have evidence that this is not only proving effective but also potentially damaging to those that participate. Some countries like France have already banned alcohol-related sports sponsorship and it is time we had that debate in the UK"

Royal College of Physicians