$300m in sponsorship at risk as booze bans loom
$300m in sponsorship at risk as booze bans loom
By Steve Lewis and Ben Packham
July 17, 2009 12:00am
PREMIER sporting codes would be stripped of up to $300 million a year in alcohol sponsorship under a radical blueprint for fighting disease and increasing life expectancy.
The National Preventative Health Task Force, handpicked by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, has also called for an end to alcohol advertising on the internet and in youth magazines.
Under the shake-up household names such as Bundaberg Rum, VB and Tooheys beer would disappear from TV screens and sporting arenas.
Iain Payten: Sport's $300 million hangover
It would rob Cricket Australia, the AFL, National Rugby League and Australian Rugby Union of a massive revenue stream.
And it would pit the Rudd Government against the powerful TV networks, who stand to lose lucrative alcohol-related advertising.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the call to ban alcohol sponsorship of sport and cultural events is a key recommendation of the National Preventative Health Task Force.
The task force's report contains a suite of reforms aimed at reducing the influence of alcohol, particularly on young people.
Editorial: Balancing the benefits of sport sponsorship
The report also encourages the use of healthier foods and exercise.
But its recommendations will trigger a major backlash from sporting groups, the alcohol sector and media firms.
In its landmark report the task force called for more stringent food labelling and a potential ban on junk food advertising on TV.
It backed away from supporting so-called "traffic light" labelling - which offers shoppers a simple red, amber and green light system outlining sugar, fat and sodium levels.
The blueprint for a healthier Australia is one of a trio of key health reform documents - all under consideration by the Government.
A spokeswoman for Health Minister Nicola Roxon last night declined to comment on the top secret report. She said the Minister was "considering all the recommendations" before the report was publicly released.
In what would be a major threat to sporting tradition, the task force is urging the Government to phase out alcohol advertising for live broadcasts. But it said this should be done over time to allow sporting bodies to attract other sources of sponsorship.
With alcohol-related illness costing the nation an estimated $16 billion a year, the task force is urging a raft of hard-hitting policy reforms
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001021,00.html
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Sport's $300 million hangover
By Iain Payten
July 17, 2009 12:00am
ON FACE value banning alcohol sponsorship in sport is a good idea. There's no disputing alcohol abuse is a problem spreading steadily across all levels of society.
Binge drinking is so bad on the Kings Cross streets most of the junkies have moved out. It's too dangerous for them.
So let's not kid ourselves - anything that can help reduce the damage of the demon drink must be considered.
Given their almost symbiotic relationship in Australia, booze in sport is a good place to start.
Much like the shift in attitudes that accompanied the prohibition of tobacco sponsorship and advertising in sport two decades ago, a total ban of alcohol sponsorship would no doubt have a positive impact.
The question that must be asked, however, is whether sport - and, ironically, healthy living - would take such a blow that a ban would end up causing more problems than it fixed?
Sound far-fetched? Maybe not
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001030,00.html
