Myths Advertisers Want You to Believe

Drinking is a risk-free activity

Alcoholism rates continue to soar, but you never see alcohol companies portraying those who drink as anything but normal and desirable. Think champagne on a yacht at sunset.

Alcohol makes everything perfect

Having a drink can be fun. Having too much too often makes you feel miserable, ruins relationships, and it could rob you of a future.

The need for a daily drink is normal and desirable

The messaging in “Smirnoff half day off” implies that it’s acceptable to drink to the point where you miss a half a day’s work. How long will you keep that job?

Alcohol is a magic potion that can transform you

The message is clear: If you drink, you will have happiness, wealth, prestige, sophistication, success, maturity, athletic ability, virility and sex. In reality, alcohol abuse and addiction can take all this away from you.

Sports and alcohol go together

Numerous ads imply that sports and alcohol increases your ability to perform. But remember, alcohol slows you down, decreasing your ability to function at peak levels.

If these products were truly dangerous, the media would tell us

Most media are reluctant to bite the hand that feeds them (advertisers spend $2 billion annually on advertising and promotion).

Alcoholic beverage companies promote moderation in drinking.

Most of these programs are designed to encourage people not to drive drunk. They do not, however, question drinking to excess.

Don’t fall for it. Don’t be a target.