Concern over alcohol ads at rugby matches as 754 appear during one Wales Six Nations game
Researchers have expressed concern about the number of alcohol adverts appearing at rugby matches after 754 were displayed during one Wales Six Nations game.
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, a campaign group that commissioned the study, is calling for a ban on alcoholic drink brands sponsoring sport.
The new study, conducted with Stirling University, found that 754 references to alcohol appeared when Wales played Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in 2020. That meant that one appeared every 14 seconds.
That game however was in second place behind the Scotland v England game where 961 references to alcohol appeared on screen.
Most of the adverts were on the structure of the stadium, including electronic hoardings, the Guinness logo in the middle of the pitch, and even ponchos worn by fans.
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems said that the constant barrage of adverts could influence children watching games and those tackling alcohol addiction.
Elinor Jayne, director of the group, said: “As a society we are used to alcohol companies sponsoring sports, yet it is totally incongruous to have this intrinsically health-harming product associated with a healthy activity.”
Alcohol advertising at sporting events is due to be banned in Ireland from November this year. France already implements such a ban.
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Given that in recent years home internationals for Wales have become one big boozing festival this finding is hardly surprising. Tobacco advertising is rightly no longer acceptable within sport so why is alcohol – a equally harmful drug – treated differently? 🤔
https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-03-20/calls-to-crackdown-on-drunk-
fans-at-rugby-match-days
Especially, considering the jump in domestic violence incedent, due to drinking during international weekends
Alcohol, Gambling…ever thought that your favourite team was not on your side ?
If it isn’t booze, its gambling. Two massive health problems facing society today.And they get to shove it down your throat.
What are they doing for this autumn series ? Will they keep bars shut as part of the Covid restriction or will they allow people to get tanked up again to fill the Union coffers while the coughing spluttering masses engage in their Covid fest ?. The whole thing is becoming grotesque.
Perhaps they should ban researchers and campaign groups from rugby matches…..