Advertising of liquor

Press, 26 May 1984, Page 18

Advertising of liquor

Sir, — Almost daily newspaper editorials and public figures express concern at the high level of violence in society. The chief factor contributing to this violence is alcohol, but this is rarely mentioned. In 1982 a senior police officer, Chief Inspector David Bates, told a Parliamentary Select Committee that alcohol is “inevitably” involved in domestic violence. An Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council publication states that a recent study of convicted violent offenders indicated that 84 per cent had been drinking before their offences. It seems that violence will continue at its present level until a reduction in the country’s alcohol consumption occurs. How is this reduction of liquor intake to be brought about? A good start would be to ban all forms of liquor advertising. It is futile to try to educate the young about the dangers of alcohol when, at the same time, the liquor trade is allowed to spend millions of dollars every year to promote its wares. — Yours, etc., CLIFF TURNER, Secretary, Group Opposed to Advertising of Liquor. May 18, 1984.

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