EDITORIAL

Alcohol advertisement prohibition: making it work in Ethiopia

Eshetu Girma

Alcohol consumption is associated with a long-term investment and cultivation on the part communicable and non-communicable diseases. of the alcohol industry. In addition, the industry The World Health Organization estimates that may use misleading messages (4) to promote its there are 3 million deaths globally every year in products, which is unethical. connection with alcohol consumption, and 13.5% of deaths among the 20-39 years age group are To prevent the promotion of alcohol, especially its related to harmful alcohol use (1). In addition, harmful use among the younger generation, the alcohol use poses a major economic burden and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia House decreases the quality of life of consumers and of People’s Representatives has ratified the Food society at large (2). A systematic review of the and Medicine Administration Proclamation economic impact of alcohol consumption from 12 (Proclamation No. 1112/2019), which restricts high-income countries shows that alcohol is smoking in public places and bans all alcohol estimated to cost between 0.45-5.44% of Gross advertisements on broadcast media (7). Domestic Product (GDP) in direct and indirect Ratification of the bill is an important milestone to costs, which is a substantial amount (3). Despite for the public health professionals to celebrate. the costly effects of alcohol consumption, alcohol While this should not be considered an end in advertisements are commonly seen in the media itself, evidence shows that bans on alcohol worldwide, including in Ethiopia. advertising have an effect on drinking behavior, especially among the younger generation (8). Over the past few years, the number of local and foreign alcohol companies has increased in It is worth noting that the alcohol industry Ethiopia. In order to improve their sales, such presents counter-arguments in relation to alcohol companies employ marketing strategies – from advertising bans, including that: a) it is branding to advertising. Alcohol companies in unnecessary to have policies that ban alcohol Ethiopia use broadcast media, such as television advertisements; b) there is insufficient evidence and radio, to promote their products (4). Such that advertising bans reduce alcohol consumption; advertisements require payment for airtime. The c) bans may have negative consequences, as companies have the financial capacity to pay for people may be tempted to try forbidden issues airtime, and incorporate ‘impactful messaging’ such as illicit drugs; d) the state may face legal that can influence individuals and the community barriers to implementing bans; e) the industry is to become loyal customers (4). socially responsible for reducing harmful drinking (9). All these counter-arguments presented by the The alcohol companies pays experts to help with alcohol industry are widely criticized as strategies the basic steps of behavior change communication, to delay the implementation of policies that ban backed up by highly experienced and trained alcohol advertising (9). Although such counter- marketing professionals. It keeps pushing on the arguments are weak and not based on empirical attributes of communication, such as commanding evidence, addressing and debating such concerns attention, communicating benefits, repeating from the alcohol industry may be helpful to reach messaging using multiple strategies, referring to consensus on the implementation of the bill and what people are thinking and interested in, minimize counterproductive strategies from the building trust, using incentives and rewards such alcohol industry. In the Ethiopian context, as free drinks, and competition prizes, and although the level of consultations with diverse influencing its new and loyal customers on what stakeholders at different levels is unclear, it is to do next (5). important to hold consultations to ensure implementation of the bill with minimal In terms of behavior change, targeting the younger disruption as possible. generation to adopt life-long healthy or maladaptive behaviors such as irresponsible Translating the bill requires establishing follow- alcohol consumption is much easier than targeting up and monitoring systems. Without close follow- their older counterparts (6). In view of this, up, efforts to enact the bill will remain mere paper creating a ‘positive image’ of alcohol products work, which is what happened in relation to the among the young generation can be considered as Advertisement Proclamation (Proclamation

School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected] 63 Ethiop. J. Health Dev

No.759/2012) (10). Had that Proclamation been trademarks, since these are meant to convey implemented properly, the public would have misleading messages. Available evidence attests been protected from misleading statements from to the use of brands that are associated, for the alcohol industry (4). example, with national and cultural heritage or historical places is being used as a marketing It is relevant to assume inevitable counter action strategy since they are familiar and can be by the alcohol industry to shift its promotional mentioned frequently in media and among the strategies. A study from the UK has shown that an public. alcohol promotion ban did not bring reductions in the volume of alcohol purchases. However, this Finally, the public health system, educational may be due to the industry reducing prices to institutions, the legal system and those working sustain sales (11). Furthermore, the alcohol with and for youth have an important role to play industry should be socially responsible in to make the bill effective by developing strategies protecting the younger generation from early to inform, empower and prevent the harmful engagement in alcohol consumption. The ministry effects of alcohol. Researchers are also expected of Trade that gives licenses to the alcohol industry to develop tools to continuously measure the should be cautious about brands, logos and impact of the bill.

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