Drunk driving 'a bigger problem than ads'

More than six out of 10 drinkers are right behind stiffer penalties for drinking and driving. They consider it a most serious offence.
However, more than nine out of 10 believed a clampdown on alcohol advertising would have no effect on their drinking habits. A MarketWise survey polled almost 4,000 people about drinking and proposed action to cut consumption. Six out of every 10 respondents was a drinker. Those questioned were male and female and came from all ages, areas and income brackets. The company's managing director Daranee Charoen-Rajapark said that 92 per cent of respondents believed advertising had no effect on drinking behaviour but 78 per cent said alcohol manufacturers should make a bigger effort to be socially responsible. Of the regular drinkers, just 9 per cent considered alcohol ads inspired them to drink more. And just 2 per cent of non-drinkers thought advertising encouraged drinking. The survey revealed good understanding of alcohol-related laws and regulations. Moreover, there was genuine concern alcohol manufacturers should educate consumers about responsible drinking and pay for youth education about the dangers of alcohol. According to the results, 65 per cent considered drunk driving the most serious alcohol-related crime.
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