In a recent editorial in the international journal Addiction, a team of Australian and British scientists called for governments worldwide to ban the alcohol industry’s sponsorship of sports. Citing a peer-reviewed study that has already linked alcohol advertising with dangerous drinking events by both sport players and spectators, the researchers say that governments could easily use the proceeds of alcohol taxation to sponsor sports instead.

Their findings have been echoed by the British Medical Association in a report called “Under the Influence” that urged a complete ban on alcohol advertising and sponsorship after showing the significant adverse impact of alcohol marketing on drinking and its associated harms.

Many thanks, British and Australian scientists as well as the British Medical Association for your wise advocacy of alcohol-free sports. Let us join in encouraging governments everywhere toward truly healthful sports events and indeed communities worldwide.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109194743.htm
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/sports-should-ban-alcohol-sponsorships-20091111-i7sh.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article6910375.ece