Alcohol is a Burden that Kills Teenagers

A plenary held at the main room of the Supreme Court has ordered Bacardi to remove all of its “White Label” billboard ads.

A dance performance has been touring youth centres and schools in Sefton encouraging young people to think about the effects that too much alcohol can have on their health and safety. Courtesy: seftonpct.nhs.uk

(MADRID) - The Galician Health Service has launched a campaign with the goal of preventing alcohol consumption among teenagers. This initiative was adjudicated last year following the celebration of a public contest, which was provided with a budget of 1 million Euros.

There have been various ad campaigns against alcohol consumption with some of the following slogans: “alcohol fills up empty spaces”, “talk with your children, information is prevention”, “drink with moderation, it is your responsibility”, and, “enjoy responsible consumption”. These initiatives are examples of how to invigorate and promote good behavior against abusive alcohol consumption. www.youtube.com

Alcohol was responsible for more than 12,000 deaths last year. The abuse of alcohol generates more health problems than those caused by the abuse of drugs. The Spanish Government has invested more than 20 million Euros for the execution of projects against drugs, within which alcohol is emphasized.

The Red Cross’ Foundation for Help Against Drug Addiction affirms that one third of teenagers spend about 90 percent of their money in alcoholic drinks. The consumption of such drinks has become a principal cause for deaths among the youth. It is estimated that 60 percent of deadly nighttime car accidents, mainly during the weekend, are due to alcohol consumption.

When it comes to alcohol abusers in the European Union, Ireland is the country with the highest number of immoderate drinkers, while Bulgaria is the one with less.

According to a study conducted by the University of Heidel and Standford University, since women develop neural paralysis at a faster pace, alcohol consumption is more prevalent among women than among men. www.stanford.edu

A plenary held at the main room of the Supreme Court has ordered Bacardi to remove all of its “White Label” billboard ads. These ads were denounced by the Association of Communication Users.

Promoting alcohol is one of the most debated and polemic issues faced by advertisement legislation. It is true that ad prohibitions are justified by policy-makers in order to protect public health and security. They aim to prevent alcohol abuse through legislation.

Has it been noticed that advertising campaigns tend to increase alcohol consumerism rather than reduce it? Alcohol is probably one of the most vicious attacks that society has had to endure. Even though its consequences spread throughout all social classes, its main victims are teenagers; that delicate portion of society that represents a possible hope for a better future. (Translated by Gianna A. Sanchez Moretti).

Author and journalist Clemente Ferrer Roselló, a prestigious Spanish advertising character, presents a fascinating personal and professional career fully devoted to the world of communication in its varied dimensions. He earned a PhD in Information Sciences from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, BA in Advertising from the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona Master in Marketing from the School of Marketing Studies in Madrid.

He has been Associate Professor of Business Management at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Navarra and a contributor to the Madrid daily ABC. He also spent several years teaching, both in the Official School of Advertising as the School of Information Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid. In 1985 he was awarded the Gold Master, granted by the Senior Management Forum and AMPE Prize 1996 to the "long and brilliant career advertising."

You can write to Clemente at this address: clementeferrer3@gmail.com