Title: Germans View Alcohol Advertising as a Threat to Youth
New research suggests that the majority of Germans believe that alcohol advertising poses a risk to young individuals starting to consume beer, wine, and spirits at an early age. A staggering 72% of survey respondents agreed that this is either "definitely" or "rather" the case, according to a report by the German Press Agency based on a representative Forsa survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit.
Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert emphasized the influence of alcohol advertising on children and young people, stating that the more they're exposed to it, the more likely they are to consume alcoholic beverages prematurely.
Alarmingly, 79% of the respondents expressed the belief that alcohol advertising should highlight health risks. This sentiment particularly resonated with women and the age group of 14-20 years old.
Andreas Storm, the DAK boss, advocated for reevaluating advertising policies for addictive substances. He advocated for the introduction of warning labels, education, and targeted campaigns in preventing addiction, especially amidst the abundance of alcohol advertising visible to children and young people.
Prof. Reiner Hanewinkel from IFT-Nord lent scientific support to the survey. He highlighted the potential damage that children and young people could suffer due to their intensive contact with alcohol advertising, which could encourage early alcohol consumption.
The survey involved 1253 individuals aged 14 and above across Germany between July 18 and August 1.
Additional Insights
Global policies on alcohol advertising and sponsorship seek to protect young people from premature consumption. For instance, Snapchat requires alcohol ads to be age-targeted while the UK regulates alcohol ads to avoid promoting excessive drinking. Some countries, like Norway, have even implemented complete bans on alcohol advertising.
Initiatives like educational campaigns and stricter enforcement of sponsorship regulations in countries like Ireland highlight the growing concern around the impact of alcohol marketing on young people. The World Federation of Advertisers also supports industry-wide standards to reduce young people's exposure to alcohol marketing.
Brands like Guinness and Jack Daniel's utilize storytelling to create emotional connections without promoting alcohol directly, complying with stricter regulations.
