“When we drink heavily, our health takes a hit. » The slogan, which accompanies the visual of a man having a drink, with a few lines reminding that “drinking alcohol increases the risk of heart rhythm disorders”, is now circulating widely on social networks. However, it belongs to an alcohol prevention campaign which never saw the light of day – it was canceled by the Ministry of Health in the spring.
Two campaigns were refused, revealed Radio France in an investigation published on September 11: the second was to be broadcast this month, during the Rugby World Cup. It was a coach reminding spectators to avoid alcohol abuse, with this message: “Don’t let alcohol knock you out. “. It remained in the boxes.
Will there be a “Streisand” effect, i.e. a tenfold increase in distribution following these decisions? This is what public health actors are hoping for, disgusted by what they see as a new manifestation of the influence of “alcohol lobby” on the current power. And ” blocking » of any real public health policy in France on alcohol.
In addition to these two prevention campaigns dismissed at the time of the former Minister of Health, François Braun, the rebroadcast of an old campaign focused on risky consumption benchmarks (“For your health, alcohol is a maximum of two glasses per day. And not every day »), was also refused this summer by the new minister, Aurélien Rousseau, according to Radio France, which made public part of the letter sent by the Vin et société lobby to the President of the Republic in January to vigorously oppose the latest alcohol prevention campaign (“good health has nothing to do with alcohol”).
“Unsuccessful creative briefs”
At the Ministry of Health, we deny having given in to any pressure. “In the context of a significant number of campaigns carried out by the State and its operators, including Public Health France, in the second half of 2023, it was decided to review the priorities on the alcohol theme and to prioritize the “young people” target. ” »we explain on Avenue de Ségur, specifying that a campaign aimed at youth is planned for the end of September. “Young people aged 17-25 are more exposed to the risks of excessive consumption”, we insist, recalling that in 2022 81% of young people aged 17 have experimented with alcohol. A reinforcement of the Alcool Info Service site, to improve guidance and personalized help for users, is also highlighted among the government’s actions concerning alcohol.
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