Call for ban on drinks industry sponsoring sporting events
• Journal says practice may encourage alcohol abuse• Debate echoes struggle over tobacco advertisingThe government should ban the alcohol industry from sponsoring any sporting event in the interest of preventing harm, international medical experts say today.In an editorial in the journal Addiction, they say the burden of proof over whether such sponsorship causes people to drink more should shift from the public to the alcohol industry. But until further research, policymakers should err on the side of caution. In practical terms this would mean restricting or, better, eliminating such sponsorship of sporting bodies and sports personalities.The drinks industry does not provide figures on sports sponsorship, but the Portman group, a public relations body representing companies such as InBev and Carlsberg, says alcohol firms spend an estimated £150m to £200m on sponsorship and advertising in the UK annually.For example, Johnnie Walker whisky sponsors the Gleneagles and Classic golf tournaments along with...
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