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Manchester report calls for alcohol sponsorship in sport to cease |
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Wednesday, 19 November 2008 |
A study by the University of Manchester shows the first evidence of a link between alcohol industry sponsorship and “hazardous drinking” among sportsmen and women.
Sponsorship includes financial incentives (paying competition fees and supply of sports kit), but mainly free or discounted alcohol for functions and post-match celebrations.
The study of 1300 sports-people uncovered that almost half of them were sponsored in this way.
In addition they found that these were more likely to engage in binge drinking.
The findings which will be published in next month’s Addiction journal showed that the athletes believed there was an “obligation” for them to drink the sponsor’s products or attend their establishments.
“Sportspeople receiving direct alcohol-industry sponsorship of any kind [...], reported more hazardous drinking than those not receiving sponsorship,” said Dr Kerry O’Brien, who is based in Manchester ’s School of Psychological Sciences.
“While finding that provision of free or discounted alcohol is linked to higher-reported drinking seems common sense, we needed to show clearly that this form of sponsorship occurs, and that it is actually associated with hazardous drinking.”
The report recommends that health and governmental organisations sever links with the alcohol industry. Something to add? Then leave a comment below or email us now.
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