Themes of drunkenness on cards are popular, but they send a harmful message that excessive drinking is normal, says the BMJ
The BMJ has warned that birthday and Christmas cards featuring alcohol or harmful drinking “reflect and reinforce a social attitude that excess alcohol consumption is acceptable and associated with celebration”.
Tracey Polak, assistant director of Public Health, and Virginia Pearson, chief officer for communities, public health, environment and prosperity at Devon County Council say these cards “influence views on drinking and reinforce this as a social norm.”
And, with the UK buying more cards per person than any other nation (an average of 33 each a year), Polak and Pearson urge the public to reflect on whether the message is one that they condone and wish to pass on.
In 1980, an analysis of greeting cards revealed themes that suggested getting drunk is a natural and desirable concomitant of celebrations, and that drunkenness is humorous, enjoyable and harmless.
Today, one billion greeting cards are sold in the UK annually, and alcohol remains a popular theme.
Polak and Pearson point out that over 10 million people across the UK are drinking at levels which increase their risk of health harms, and alcohol consumption is the leading risk factor for ill-health, early death and disability in those aged 15 to 49.
As the card market adapts and produces new themes, they say it is worth considering whether it influences societal views or whether societal views influence the card market.
They suspect the truth lies probably in the middle. “As cards with alcohol themes become more prevalent then a cultural norm develops where drinking in association with celebration becomes the expected,” they said.
And, while manufacturers are unlikely to respond to public health lobbying to depict more responsible drinking, “they may change what they produce if consumers choose not to buy cards depicting irresponsible drinking.”
Whether this leads to changes in alcohol consumption is, however, another question, they say. There is little evidence of effective interventions which impact on social norm, with marketing, labelling, and advertisements designed to reduce excess drinking being shown to have small, short term and inconsistent impacts.
Ultimately, the authors believe that the responsibility for choosing cards lies with the purchaser: “So perhaps it is worth reflecting the next time that you choose one whether the message is one that you condone and wish to pass on,” they conclude.
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