Pernod Ricard Tells Youth To Say 'No' To Alcohol

[Lite Beer]

CSR

Pernod Ricard tells youth to say 'No' to alcohol

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As seen in the Al Capone era, even strict drinking rules and laws could not stop people from drinking. To a global alcohol company like Pernod Ricard, it is better to equip drinkers with a sense of responsibility, for its own sake and the greater good of society.

In its second year, "Responsib'All Day" 2012 was held in July. About 18,000 Pernod Ricard employees worldwide stopped their activities for 24 hours to educate young adults on responsible consumption. Employees from five continents, in major cities from Sydney to Shanghai, New Delhi, Tokyo, Sofia, Johannesburg and Sao Paulo, were mobilised in a 24-hour day of action. A range of exhibitions, forums with local authorities and non-profit organisations, as well as educational programmes are organised on this day in more than 70 countries, including Thailand.

According to Chavalit Vongsuwanlert, corporate affairs director of Pernod Ricard Thailand, last year the company's campaign focused on "Don't Drink and Drive", which has now become a permanent topic in its agenda. This year, it joined hands with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation for training on "Road Safety" and "Alcohol I Know for Young People", besides a panel discussion in which policemen, colleges, parents and youth representatives and representatives from three universities took part.

Youth is the main target. Based on a survey in 2011 by the Office of National Statistics people aged 15-24 years accounted for 2.4 million of those who drink alcohol. On average, they start drinking from age 17. Most of the accidents causing injuries and death are by the 17-19 age group.

"All the speakers [at the panel discussion] had a consensus that the only effective way to prevent harmful drinking among young people is education, not restriction," Chavalit said. "There is less and less tolerance about misuse of alcohol by youth. It is important that we educate young people about the dangers of alcohol so that they are aware of the risks and dangers of alcohol and underage drinking. The three areas of focus are: delaying the age of the first drink, decreasing the amount of alcohol consumption of young adults, and decreasing the frequency of drunkenness."

Educational programmes of the global alcohol company in different countries in Europe showed that after 10 years, drinking among the youth reduced by 12 per cent. In France, about 2,500 students are educated on the dangers of alcohol starting from the age of 10 until 14. The focus is on youth as their brain and body are still growing and developing. Their alcohol tolerance is not as high and as good as adults. Studies conducted overseas show that people who start drinking at 16 are five times more likely to run into trouble than those who start drinking at 25. Hence, children who drink alcohol are at a higher risk. This group should say 'No' to alcohol, Chavalit said.

To reduce the risks and dangers of harmful drinking among young people, law enforcement is not enough. This requires cooperation from the public sector, schools, colleges, teachers, parents, friends, older students, NGOs or social workers. Through cooperation with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, the "Youth Road Safely and Alcohol I Know" programme in Thailand aims to educate secondary school students on traffic discipline and the dangers of underage drinking.

"We teach them the health risks of drinking if they start at a young age. With good cooperation from local authorities, we expect to train 1,000 students in the first year. The first programme was recently launched in Khon Kaen and generated good results."

Meetings with liquor shops, numbering over 2,000, are organised this year, where they are informed of the company's policy towards drinking among the youth. They were asked for their cooperation not to sell alcohol to people under 20 years of age for long-term benefits from this campaign.

"Many people ask me if the campaign will affect the company's sales. I firmly believe that actions taken to ensure that young people in Thai society are made aware of the health risks and the dangers of harmful and irresponsible drinking are far more important than focusing on sales."

Chavalit noted that though Pernod Ricard is an alcohol company, it adheres to transparent business practices. In particular, it will not carry out any sales and marketing activities aimed at children and youth with the understanding that alcohol is not unlike consumer goods in general. They have both benefits and drawbacks. If too much is consumed, it could have negative effects. The same goes for food such as desserts where if one consumes too much of it, it could lead to diabetes. If you eat too much fatty foods, this could also lead to heart disease or cardiovascular problems.

Thailand has resorted to using grotesque images from accident scenes to promote anti-drinking campaigns, but the images may not work for children. Education would work better to make them understand the dangers. They need to know that within one minute of drinking alcohol, the alcohol will get to the brain and it takes about an hour for the liver to disperse the alcohol in the body. If you drink too much alcohol, it will go into the blood stream, and you may not be able to think clearly and may do something inappropriate or careless which can lead to an accident. When it comes to alcohol, there is no distinction between "hard" or "soft". As such, it is a misperception that drinking cocktails doesn't make one drunk.

"We firmly believe that it is our duty and responsibility to get across the message on the dangers of irresponsible drinking. While there are healthy guidelines on alcohol drinking for adults, there are no guidelines at all for safe alcohol consumption for young people. As a responsible entrepreneur, we want to see this partnership to exist on a continuing basis as our society changes and develops in line with the behaviour of people. It is also important to learn and adapt to the digital age, especially if you are a Gen Y.

"Our key message with year's campaign is for young people to say 'No to consuming alcohol' and for young adults who wish to drink to always consider moderate consumption."

-- The Nation 2012-08-26

[Scully]

So this is about education and has nothing whatsoever to do with advertising Pernod Ricard?

[johna]

Can you get free samples at these events

[FOODLOVER]

Reminds me, running low.

[Reasonableman]

Machiavelli must be turning in his grave at such downright cynicism... Responsble liquor industry... A contradiction in terms...

[Ricardo]

Pernod Ricard, manufacturers of fine ear-medicine since ...

To be followed by 'Durex tells youth say no to premarital sex'

and .'McDs tell youth say no to fatty/sugary/salty foods' ?

[Semper]

campaign is for young people to say 'No to consuming alcohol'

I didn't know the youngsters were drinking alcohol, thought that yabaa was the hip thing nowadays.

[noitom]

Looks like a PR release from Pernod-Ricaud with a touchup. The Nation couldn't make this more newsworthy?

[JeremyBowskill]

Only read the story because I thought Pernod ricard could be some funny drunk charactor named Ricard who likes to drink Pernod giving drinking advice from a bar stool in nana plaza, I thought the drink was simply called Pernod. My mistake.

[KireB]

Pernod Ricard, manufacturers of fine ear-medicine since ...

To be followed by 'Durex tells youth say no to premarital sex'

and .'McDs tell youth say no to fatty/sugary/salty foods' ?

And the Cali cartel sponsors a say no to drugs' awareness program.

[Moruya]

Obviously Pernod, Ricard and other pastis have next to zero market share here so whilst the message may be a good one, the organ through which it is delivered coupled with the marque and product will have as much effect on market penetration as Yingluck's attendance at Parliament

[Curt1591]

It's amazing how an industry that engrains the idea that alcohol is such an integral part of adulthood, and life in general, can believe that they do anything but promote drinking in youths.

[Moruya]

It's amazing how an industry that engrains the idea that alcohol is such an integral part of adulthood, and life in general, can believe that they do anything but promote drinking in youths.

Was the pun intentional?

[Curt1591]

It's amazing how an industry that engrains the idea that alcohol is such an integral part of adulthood, and life in general, can believe that they do anything but promote drinking in youths.

Was the pun intentional?

Pun?

[Moruya]

It's amazing how an industry that engrains the idea that alcohol is such an integral part of adulthood, and life in general, can believe that they do anything but promote drinking in youths.

Was the pun intentional?

Pun?

The alcohol industry is practically fueled by grain

[OzMick]

Of the 2.4 million young Thai drinkers, I wonder how many have ever heard of Pernod, let alone drink the muck.

[bigbamboo]

Pernod should be actively encouraged to get the Thai youth to drink their disgusting slop.

It might put them off alcohol for life.

Edited August 26, 2012 by bigbamboo

[xen]

Pernod is not a drink for guzzling like most would do with other alcohols. It would be one of my favourite drinks along with Jagarmeister, and Sambucca and, of course, abesthinthe , but then i do have an addiction to aniseed and liquorice flavours.

If Thai school kids drank too much of it they would end up with the mother of all hangovers. I do not think Thais ,generally , know how to consume and savour fine alcohol including wines as they see alcohol as a means to get plastered like some of us did when we were 14 years old drinking a flagon of sherry before the school dance.

Edited August 26, 2012 by xen

[bushman1666]

Of the 2.4 million young Thai drinkers, I wonder how many have ever heard of Pernod, let alone drink the muck.

They know about it now. Subliminal advertising. Get them while they're young.

[culicine]

Can you get free samples at these events

Try getting free samples at a Thai vineyard lol

So easy in Australia, but try here...

[SpaceKadet]

Pernod Ricard is quite large distilled beverages company and owns a lot of famous brand of liquor.

Among them: Absolute Vodka, Chivas Regal, Beefeater Gin, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and many others.

You would be surprised...

[Reasonableman]

Pernod Ricard is quite large distilled beverages company and owns a lot of famous brand of liquor.

Among them: Absolute Vodka, Chivas Regal, Beefeater Gin, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and many others.

You would be surprised...

All the more laudable of them to keep their well-kept little secret from youngsters. Good for them!

[redroo]

I think its called " the devils advocate "

[Reasonableman]

I think its called " the devils advocate "

Spelt "advocaat"...

[nurofiend]

Pernod Ricard, manufacturers of fine ear-medicine since ...

To be followed by 'Durex tells youth say no to premarital sex'

and .'McDs tell youth say no to fatty/sugary/salty foods' ?

it's like McDs sponsoring the olympics! ..... oh wait

rumour has it that usain bolt tucked into a big mac before he ran the 100 metre

[Ricardo]

Pernod Ricard, manufacturers of fine ear-medicine since ...

To be followed by 'Durex tells youth say no to premarital sex'

and .'McDs tell youth say no to fatty/sugary/salty foods' ?

it's like McDs sponsoring the olympics! ..... oh wait

rumour has it that usain bolt tucked into a big mac before he ran the 100 metre

Or was it the aroma of Extra-Fries, drifting from beyond the finishing-line, perhaps ?

Re-defines 'fast' food, doesn't it !

[Reasonableman]

So, if an Olympic runner were an alcoholic, the best motivator would be....?

[rotary]

Great Idea..... I will drink to that!

[Ricardo]

So, if an Olympic runner were an alcoholic, the best motivator would be....?

a bottle-opener, placed just beyond the finish-line ?