Should we have health warnings on alcohol?

Originally posted by ollncasino
British doctors want to include cigarette-style warnings on alcohol and to prevent drinks firms sponsoring sport.

The alliance of 70 medical bodies and health charities is demanding that:

• A third of the label on all cans and bottles of alcohol should be given over to a hard-hitting warning about the health dangers of over-consumption

• A ban on all alcohol advertising and sponsorship. That would stop alcohol manufacturers paying millions to have their name on teams' shirts or in the title of a competition – such as Budweiser, which sponsors the FA Cup in England

• Drink sales in shops and supermarkets should be restricted to certain times, and alcohol products sold only in designated areas, to reduce "pre-loading" – in which people drink cheaper shop-bought alcohol before going out

• A hike in the price of high-strength products, such as certain wines, to discourage consumption

The Guardian

Sale of alcohol should be restricted to certain times and only in 'designated' areas?

Smokers did warn that that once they were finished with smoking the puritans would move on to the drinkers.

Luckily, the Department of Health has rejected the proposals by the coalition of 70 British medical bodies and health charities.

• A third of the label on all cans and bottles of alcohol should be given over to a hard-hitting warning about the health dangers of over-consumption

I am actually O.K. with this for two reasons: (1) It gives people the proper warning they need to consider the health costs of drinking (though I am dubious as to whether anyone will actually read the warning). (2) It will protect companies from frivolous lawsuits concerning alcohol related health issues.

The other four potential laws and regulations are simply way too much bureaucracy and red-tape. It is like another form of prohibition without the moral crusade. It won't work and will only raise the price of alcohol to unnecessary levels. If they want people to stop drinking they should just tax it more heavily and call it a day.

reply to post by Ghost375

So you agree that we should put labels on the bottles, since the fact is, no one is talking about the health risks, and who is going to google the dangers for something that is advertised as harmless on TV?? Other than DUIs, no one talks about the risks of alcohol, and they are more than just OD'ing. I guarantee 99% of people who drink, couldn't name half of them.

Drinking is never advertised as harmless on television. All these cops shows, these judge shows, these reality shows, all the disclaimers saying "Drink responsibly" and "Buzzed driving is drunk driving" and "friends don't let friends drive drunk"...

What the hell kind of channels are you watching? Maybe you should turn that set on once in a while, you'd see what I'm talking about.

There were health warnings on all alcohol containers

they were taken off at sometime in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

Yes

If there are health warnings on Cigarette Packs, than there should also be health warnings on fatty foods, alcohol, GMO foods etc. Consistency is all I want.

Alcohol can be healthy and disastrous to health at the same time depending on the amount you drink, just like any other substance.

There are lots of studies that have proved that a small amount of alcohol (e.g. glass of wine) a day is healthy.

There are lots of studies that have proved that overdrinking kills sooner or later.


Overally I believe alcohol is a drink for smart people, people who know how to drink. For those who drink too much it is worse than smoking.

There should be labels on the drinks, but I believe overally this would not help much, just like smoking kills labels. Just waste of money. People hate to be told no.

The only thing that would help to decrease the consumption of alcohol would be strong campaigns on healthy living, turning it into a trend.

Maybe they should put health warnings on our birth certificates.

It wont be long before...

reply to post by AfterInfinity


Did you just skim my post?
I said "Other than DUI, no one talks about the dangers of alcohol."

Responding with quotes about how they tell people not to drive drunk doesn't negate my argument. Again, you probably have no idea about the multitude of risks of alcohol, because no one talks about them. Not to even mention the way it makes people act is atrocious. You only realize it after you stop drinking heavily.

And what are YOU watching???
Drinking alcohol is portrayed as glamorous on TV. It's always a bunch of pretty people, smiling laughing and having fun. Then at the end in small print and quiet voice, drink responsibly.

reply to post by ollncasino


Here are 12 conditions linked to chronic heavy drinking:

-Anemia

-Cancer

-Cardiovascular disease

-Cirrhosis of the liver

-Dementia

-Depression

-Seizures

-Gout

-High blood pressure

-Infectious disease

-Nerve damage

A lot of these can also be attributed to process food consumption, man made sweetners, sugar consumption. Heck, even basic food we buy at the store can cause some kind of health related problems. I think the key is moderation. A glass of red wine a day is supposed to be beneficial for the heart and beneficial to prevent prostrate cancer.

12 Health Risks Associated with Chronic Heavy Drinking

Alcohol should be labeled as a potentially addictive drug. It should also include warnings against use with machinery and driving. Limits before fatal overdose should also be included along with warnings of liver and brain damage. Also should not be used by pregnant or nursing women. Impaired judgement warnings also.

I think it is far more destructive than any other substance we use or abuse and much more widespread.

reply to post by Iamschist

Like this?

“GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems”

That's what it says on my bottle of Jim Beam...but maybe I should check it one more time.

YES. all those warnings on ciggarette packets tottally stopped me smoking.
my IQ barely reaches double figures so i appreciate them reminding me i will die.

reply to post by Phage


Yes like that, and the others added. I have not purchased any in a very long time, sorry I quit before they labeled that way. Is a good thing, just not enough imho.

Originally posted by Phage
reply to post by Iamschist

 

Like this?

“GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems”

That's what it says on my bottle of Jim Beam...but maybe I should check it one more time.

Please be sure to have one eye closed when you re-check that warning so as to assure a proper reading!

Couldn't help but tease you- when you had posted that before I laughed 'til my ribs hurt!

reply to post by Iamschist

Well, if all the possible bad things were listed you'd end up with an insert like you find in a package of Tylenol. Have you read one of those things? I haven't.

Possible side effects include....death.

reply to post by Phage


Yes I have, but don't ask me to quote it. So what, imho alcohol needs a packet of warnings. If it saves one life, one family, one innocent killed by a drunk, then yes, let's attach a book to it.

Originally posted by Iamschist
Alcohol should be labeled as a potentially addictive drug....... Limits before fatal overdose should also be included along with warnings of liver and brain damage..... Impaired judgement warnings also.
I think it is far more destructive than....

Note above is a summarised quote from Iamschist

On the one hand I hate the nanny state telling me that I should not do this, that and the other. Soon, I will be warned against wearing shoes in case the laces throttle me.

On the other hand, I am an adult. I have a choice. I know alcohol can mess me up, so I take a judgement to drink in moderation (mostly). I know smoking is dangerous to me and others, so I gave up years ago. I knows snorting coke may give short-term benefits, but ultimately can really screw you, so I don't do that either, nor indulge in any drugs because I have concluded if that’s the only way to get a buzz, then you are sad.

If people drink to excess and drown their liver, then that's their funeral. They are adults and if they cannot think things through, then why should I suffer because of their selfishness?

I am in no way diminishing alcoholism and the terrible burden of such (and I have a family member who has a drink problem), nor drug addiction, or addiction to chocolate for that matter. I am simply saying that too many people are trying to tell me other obvious. Chill out.

Regards

reply to post by Iamschist

I see your point. I really do.

Maybe someone actually would read it and think "What? I can get liver damage if I drink every day for months?"
Kidding...sort of. That "fatal dose" clause may hold some merit though. But again, anyone who is going to drink that amount of alcohol is probably not going to pay much attention to the warning.

One life, though. You are right.

I just love those commercials where they're promoting a drug, and than the announcer gives you a long list of side affects which include possible death. My wife's a hypochondriac, so every over the counter or prescription drug she gets, she reads the side affects which scares herself from taking the medication.

reply to post by Phage


If you're an alcoholic or a long time smoker, warning labels won't do any good. They already know the consequences of their addiction.

If your a teen, you're indestructible, so I don't think warning labels phase them.

However, if you're a hypochondriac like my wife it's extremely effective.