Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Alcohol Advertising On Social Media Platforms

A new report from Australia highlights the significant community exposure to alcohol advertising through social media platforms.

Over a one-year period researchers observed nearly 40,000 advertisements from a subset of alcohol-related accounts on Meta platforms alone - equating to an average of 765 distinct alcohol advertisements per week.

Alcohol producers contributed the largest overall number of advertisements (27,272) followed by retailers (8,731). Most of the producer advertisements were for international brands, part of large global corporations, rather than local/domestic brands. Producers are more likely to promote their brands through video content and emotional appeal - selling glamour, fun or sophistication. Whereas retailers and venues were more likely to use imagery to promote products, prices and "buy now" options to prompt purchases.

While the report has been undertaken in Australia, Rebecca Williams (Alcohol Healthwatch Acting Executive Director) says there is no reason to think it would be any different in Aotearoa New Zealand.

"The issues relating to this exposure are wide ranging and deeply concerning. What we do know gives us grave concerns, and then there is what we don’t know," says Williams.

As the report authors remind us, young people’s exposure to alcohol marketing has a causal link with young people starting to drink alcohol at a younger age, and drinking at riskier levels. Young people’s exposure to online alcohol marketing is associated with more positive attitudes toward alcohol, intention to drink alcohol, and increased use of alcohol products.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Williams says the collective impact of alcohol marketing and sponsorship works to maintain an environment that normalises alcohol consumption, maintain our heavy drinking culture and makes is difficult for those wishing to quit or cut back on their drinking or seek help.

The report also highlights that we don’t know about the actual exposure to individuals. Williams says this advertising goes directly to the consumers via their mobile phones - targeted through the data gathered by the advertisers or platform owners on individuals - so extremely difficult to monitor. The researchers point out that leaked Meta documents indicate that they have gathered psychological insights on almost 2 million children in Australia and New Zealand to sell targeted advertising.

Alcohol is not an ordinary commodity, it is a harmful and addictive drug yet these advertisers are given free rein to expose children and young people with marketing content that harms them. The need for Government action to put an end to meaningless restrictions and industry self-regulation of alcohol advertising and introduce comprehensive restrictions has never been more pressing.

Report- is available here https://fare.org.au/alcohol-advertising-on-social-media-platforms/

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.