Originally planned for the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France this month, two prevention campaigns on the dangers of alcohol have been rejected by former health minister François Braun and his cabinet , last May, according to information of the Radio France investigation unit, published Monday September 11. The government justifies this decision by targeting deemed unsatisfactory, when addiction specialists deplore it and question the role of the alcohol lobby in this decision.
According to the radio, the general directorate of health had asked, in November 2022, Public Health France (SPF) to work on an “alcohol and rugby” campaign, with a view to holding the World Cup in France, which began on September 8. Presented in May to the ministry, one with the slogan “Don’t let alcohol knock you out” was challenged a few weeks later according to Radio France, when another, baptized “When we take a beating, our health takes a beating”was also stored, according to the assertions of the chained duck dating from mid-July.
Information confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday, September 11, by a source familiar with the matter, on the grounds that the campaigns were not convincing: “The two campaigns were not validated, in the end, because the creative proposal was not suitable. On rugby, the World Cup is an opportunity to talk about sport and physical activity positively, rather than conveying a message that is more of a cliché about the “third half”. »
The influence of the alcohol lobby in question
But Radio France evokes another reason: the repercussion, from the cabinet of Emmanuel Macron to that of François Braun, of the influence of the alcohol sector. Contacted by AFP on Monday, Vin et Société, an organization defending the interests of viticulture mentioned in the investigation by its investigation unit, did not wish to comment.
“In the context of a large number of campaigns carried out by the State and its operators, including SPF, in the second half of 2023, it was decided to review the priorities on the alcohol theme and to prioritize the young target”, the ministry told AFP on Monday. A campaign on the risks of alcohol, aimed at this target, will therefore be launched ” end of September “.
By the end of 2023, “the SPF Alcool info service site will be strengthened in order to improve the orientation and personalized assistance of users”he added, insisting on “a strong commitment [du gouvernement] in the fight against addictions ».
But for the Addictions Association France, “prevention campaigns aimed at young people or pregnant women do not bother alcoholics, because they are targeted”unlike campaigns aimed at the general population, as Myriam Savy, its advocacy director, told Radio France.
Since his arrival at the Elysée, Emmanuel Macron has been accused several times of complacency towards the alcohol sector, in particular by actors in the fight against addictions.