Alcohol Advertising

1139 Words3 Pages

Alcohol Advertising

Millions of Americans suffers from the effects of alcohol and drug abuse. It can shatter lives, brake families, and to rob people of their dreams for the future. Once alcoholism or drug addiction begins, an individual's problems not only don't go away, but their mental well being as well as physical ability continues to diminish from the immediate and long-term adverse effects from the drugs and alcohol abuse.

Is it really true that advertising increases alcohol consumption, which increases alcohol abuse? No it is not. No solid evidence from either scientific research or practical experience that this theory of advertising is correct was identified. The United States Department of Health and Human Services in its report to Congress stated that there is no significant relationship between alcohol advertising and alcohol consumption. (Hanson, 1997). It did not recommend banning or imposing additional restrictions on advertising.

I believe that Instead of increasing total consumption, the main idea of advertisers is to encourage consumers to switch to their brand and create brand loyalty. Retail value of beer produced annually in the U.S. is about $50 billion. (Hanson, 1997). If an advertising campaign increases its market share by one percent, its sales would increase by $500 million. (Hanson, 1997).However, if the total market for beer increased just by one percent, a brand with a 10% share of the market would only experience a sales increase of $50 million. (Hanson, 1997).

The main idea against alcohol beverage ads on television is that they seem to "normalize" drinking in the minds of young viewers. To the extent the ads may be performing a positive role. (Hanson, 1997). The nature of alcohol ads on...

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...ther methods of treatment that may be used as part of rehabilitative process include: hospitalization, therapeutic communities (highly controlled, drug-free environments), and outpatient programs.

Everyone understands that alcohol addiction is the "illness". Unlike flu, addiction is the illness hidden by affected people themselves. All of us know that the sooner one admit that he or she have a problem, the sooner he or she can get treatment.

References:

American Psychiatric Association (1999). Substance Abuse & Addiction.

Retrieved June1, 2005, from www.open-mind.org/News/DA/20.htm

Crossing Recovery Centers (2001). Facts on alcohol and drugs. Retrieved June1, 2005 from www.crossingsrecovery.com/pages/factson.html

Hanson, D. J., (1997). Alcohol advertising. Retrieved on June 1, 2005 from

http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol-info/Advertising.html

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