Alcohol and Football

Football and beer may seem as American as baseball and apple pie, but they can be far more dangerous as a recent study proves.

Football and beer: It’s a marriage made in advertising heaven.

Football season is in full swing and along with hours spent in front of the TV watching the big game, there are hundreds of pricey ads vying for sports fans’ attention between plays. For years pro sports and ads for alcohol have been intertwined, but now there’s proof that there’s a direct link between alcohol sponsorship and hazardous drinking among fans.

The British study was conducted by the University of Manchester and showed that whatever the game -- soccer, football, baseball or rugby -- the risks are the same across the board.

"This study … gives the stark messages that hazardous drinking, common in sport, is seen more when the individual or club is sponsored by the drinks industry,” said Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the U.K. Alcohol Health Alliance.

“Providing discounted or free alcoholic drinks was the worst offender,” Gilmore continued. “Alcohol producers and retailers have worked long and hard to align themselves to the positive and healthy image of sport, and we now have evidence that this is not only proving effective but also potentially damaging to those that participate.”

Alcohol sponsorships in the sports world are big business, but it’s clear they lead to more consumption by fans. In France, alcohol-related sports sponsorship has already been banned, but U.S. sports fans love their beer – and their beer commercials. Seeing this type of sponsorship go the way of cigarette commercials and endorsements could be a long way off.

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If you or a family member are struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, call La Paloma at the toll-free number. 877-345-1887. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.