The Rugby World Cup has just started in France and, unsurprisingly, many French people raise their elbows during the matches. A perfect opportunity for those involved in prevention to remember that alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.
Except that, according to information from Franceinfo, the Ministry of Health has cancelled two campaigns, including one that would be broadcast heavily during the competition, throughout the month of September. An about-face that would have been due to pressure from the wine lobbies.
According to the government, this cancellation is a way to “review priorities”
In anticipation of the competition, in November 2022, the Directorate General of Health (DGS, one of the directorates of the Ministry of Health) asked Santé Publique France to work on a prevention campaign on the theme of “alcohol and rugby”. But when everything was ready, it was cancelled.
The slogan? “ Don’t let alcohol knock you out “. The point? A strong-looking “fan coach” had to remind spectators to avoid “alcohol abuse”. Another campaign suffered the same fate, as Le Canard Enchaîné revealed last July.
These two campaigns, presented by Santé Publique France to former Health Minister François Braun in May 2023, have been put aside. The Ministry instead gives its approval to a prevention campaign aimed at young people, which will be broadcast very soon.
Read also: Know the method” half and half » control alcohol consumption?
For the ministry, this change of opinion would only be a way to “review priorities”. focus prevention first and foremost on young people, reports France Inter. For the associations this would rather be due to pressure from the wine lobbies.
“Prevention campaigns aimed at young people or pregnant women do not bother alcoholics, because they are targeted “, has explained Myriam Savy, director of advocacy at the Addictions France association. However, the two campaigns censored “They are aimed at the general population those who regularly consume alcohol. They are told that “alcohol poses a health risk.” It is a risk factor for cancer. And the alcohol industry doesn’t like that “, he claims.
Result, according to information from Franceinfothe main French wine lobby, Vin et Société, sent a letter arsonist on January 12 to Emmanuel Macron, in reaction to the prevention campaign of Public Health France broadcast during the holidays.
The dangers of alcohol in France are therefore still far from being taken seriously by public authorities.
Do you like our articles? You’ll love our newsletters! Sign up for free on this page.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
