NW Peace FASD Network

A new report from the World Health Organization highlights the increasing use of sophisticated online marketing techniques for alcohol and the need for more effective regulation. It shows that young people and heavy drinkers are increasingly targeted by alcohol advertising, often to the detriment of their health.

Reducing the harm from alcohol – by regulating cross-border alcohol marketing, advertising and promotion is the first report from WHO to detail the full extent of the way that alcohol is today being marketed across national borders – often by digital means – and in many cases regardless of the social, economic or cultural environment in receiving countries.

Worldwide, 3 million people die each year as a result of harmful use of alcohol – one every 10 seconds – representing about 5% of all deaths. A disproportionate number of these alcohol–related deaths occur among younger people, with 13.5% of all deaths among those who are 20–39 years of age being alcohol-related.

“Alcohol robs young people, their families and societies of their lives and potential,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “Yet despite the clear risks to health, controls on the marketing of alcohol are much weaker than for other psychoactive products. Better, well enforced and more consistent regulation of alcohol marketing would both save and improve young lives across the world.”

A digital revolution in marketing and promotion

One of the biggest changes in recent years to alcohol marketing is the use of sophisticated online marketing. The collection and analysis of data on users’ habits and preferences by global Internet providers has created new and growing opportunities for alcohol marketers to target messages to specific groups across national borders. Targeted advertising on social media is especially effective at using such data, with its impact strengthened by social influencers and sharing of posts between social media users.

One data source quoted in the report calculated that over 70% of media spending of leading alcohol marketers based in the USA in 2019 was through promotions, product placement and online advertisements in social media.

“The rising importance of digital media means that alcohol marketing has become increasingly cross-border”, said Dag Rekve of the Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours Unit at the World Health Organization. “This makes it more difficult for countries that are regulating alcohol marketing to effectively control it in their jurisdictions. More collaboration between countries in this area is needed.”

Click here to read the full article.

Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/10-05-2022-who-highlights-glaring-gaps-in-regulation-of-alcohol-marketing-across-borders

Overview

This comprehensive report details the full extent of the way that alcohol is being marketed across national borders – often by digital means – and often regardless of the social, economic or cultural environment in receiving countries. It highlights how increasingly sophisticated advertising and promotion techniques, including linking alcohol brands to sports and cultural activities, sponsorships and use of e-mails, SMS and social media, are being used to increase customer loyalty and gain new customers. It shows that young people and heavy drinkers are increasingly targeted by  alcohol advertising, often to the detriment of their health, and highlights the need for more effective national regulations and better international collaboration.

9789240046504-engDownload

Executive summary:  Arabic | Chinese |  English | French | Spanish

Retrieved from https://preventionconversation.org/2022/05/18/who-highlights-glaring-gaps-in-regulation-of-alcohol-marketing-across-borders/

We have three webinars coming up in the next few weeks as part of our CanFASD Webinar Series. Read on to learn more!

Emerging Research in Action: CanFASD Trainee Webinar Series Part 1

Friday May 27, 2022 at 1:00pm EDT

The CanFASD Trainee program is a new initiative helping students and early career researchers across Canada become more engaged in and knowledgeable about FASD research and initiatives. Led by Dr. Kelly Harding, the trainees have had the opportunity to advance their skill sets and learn from the CanFASD Network.

Split across two webinar (May 27th and June 3rd), the eight trainees will now present on a research project that has recently been completed or is under way. This is a chance for you to learn what the next generation of Canadian FASD researchers are accomplishing, to hear new research findings, and to look forward to forthcoming study results.

May 27th presentations will feature Ella Huber, Sarah Moss, Chantel Ritter, and Devon and will be hosted by Dr. Kelly Harding. Register now.

Brain and Behaviour Changes with Low PAE

Wednesday June 1, 2022 at 3:00pm EDT

Recently, Dr. Xiangyu Long and Dr. Catherine Lebel published new evidence on the impact that low levels of prenatal alcohol exposure have on children. They used MRI images and parental reports of behaviour to show that even “low” levels of prenatal alcohol exposure (i.e. an average of one drink per week) resulted in weaker brain connectivity and more problematic behaviour compared to children without alcohol exposure.

In this webinar, Drs. Lebel and Long will be presenting on their newly published research, which has big implications for policy and practices. This webinar is hosted in partnership with the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute. Register now. 

Emerging Research in Action: CanFASD Trainee Webinar Series Part 2

Friday June 3, 2022 at 1:00pm EDT

In our second part of the Trainee Webinar Series, Shae Mulvihill, Celisse Bibr, Kirsten Morrisson, and Vannesa Joly will present on new and emerging research they are working on. This is a chance for you to learn what the next generation of Canadian FASD researchers are accomplishing, to hear new research findings, and to look forward to forthcoming study results. Register now.

2022 marks the 6th annual National Access Ability Week in Canada. Voices of Albertans with Disabilities (VAD) is excited to host screenings of the Oscar Nominated Film Crip Camp. 

Grande Prairie! We invite you to join us on May 31, 2022 for a FREE movie at the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre (in Northwest Polytechnic). Doors will open at 6:30 PM and the movie will start at 7:00 pm. In order to best accommodate you, we do ask that you register ahead of time.  Tickets are limited.

Please select the ‘seating accommodation required’ if you will have an attendant, or require specific seating arrangements.

More information can be found on the event page: bit.ly/NAAWGrandePrairie

Watch the Crip Camp Official Trailer here!

Please email accessibility@vadsociety.ca if you have any other accessibility and accommodation needs, have trouble registering or have any questions.

The NW Peace FASD Network is very grateful for the wonderful board members we have. We would like to recognize Kathy Lambert for Tim Hortons Volunteer of the Week. Kathy has been the executive director for Wapiti Community Support Association since 2018. Kathy joined the NW Peace FASD Network board as a director in 2021 as she was wanting to be involved in the great work the network is doing in the north. She has worked in multiple positions in the Human Service field in Northern Alberta. I am passionate about supporting people in getting connected to the resources they choose and to be successful in their goals. I believe in supporting individuals with FASD and their families to recognize themselves as supported valued members of our community.

To register please contact Kim- 780 533 5461 or kim@nwfasd.ca

The NW Peace FASD Network is proud to be an exhibitor at the upcoming Caregivers Together 2022 Conference.

Conference’s registration page: https://hopin.com/events/caregivers-together-2022 

By clicking on this link,  attendees will be able to sign up as Caregivers, Caregivers + COMPASS Certification Program Participants, Health Care Professionals, or Health Care Professionals + Certification Program Participants.