Controversy in France: a public health campaign accused of trivializing alcohol

A French public health campaign aimed at young people has been accused by some doctors of trivializing alcohol consumption without mentioning its dangerous effects. The campaign, which includes posters, television and radio spots, was launched on Monday by the Santé Publique France agency and aims, according to its press release, to “raise awareness among young people of the risks linked to the consumption of alcohol and drugs” .

In this campaign, the public body recommends adopting a series of behaviors to reduce the risks linked to alcohol consumption: drinking a glass of water between each glass to minimize the effects of alcohol, avoiding inciting those who don’t want to drink, bring home friends who have had too much to drink, etc.

This campaign, however, arouses criticism from several doctors who believe that it trivializes alcohol consumption, among other things because the health risks it entails are not discussed.

“In this campaign, alcohol and partying seem to go hand in hand,” declared pulmonologist François Vincent in an unpublished version of a campaign which “contains no message on reducing consumption” and declared that “the industry alcohol can reassure you.

Questioned by AFP, the French Ministry of Health defended a strategic option: encouraging young people to avoid risks, instead of illusorily encouraging them to abstinence.

“The reality is there,” a ministry official said, citing public health figures showing that out of every five 17-year-olds, four have already consumed alcohol.

Santé Pública France defended this strategy, stressing that it regularly evaluates how young people receive public health messages.

“We relied on our observation data: it is because this risk reduction strategy works well that we wanted to continue it,” explained Viêt Nguyen Thanh, head of the addictions unit of the agency.

Monday, during the launch of the campaign, Minister Aurélien Rousseau had already affirmed that he assumed the responsibility of “defining priorities and choosing messages”, while displaying his “determination” in the fight against alcoholism.

This controversy follows other criticism addressed to the ministry for having modified two anti-alcohol campaign projects in recent months, including one around the Rugby World Cup.

According to Radio France, which revealed the information in early September, these decisions were linked to pressure from the cabinet of President Emmanuel Macron, faced with discontent from the wine sector.

The French Ministry of Health did not confirm the information and claimed a review of “priorities” given the “large number” of public health campaigns carried out.