DRINKtech NEW ZEALAND WAIHEKE WINE MAKER TOPS 42 DRINKtech NEW ZEALAND NOVEMBER 2017 DISHONEST AND DISRESPECTFUL A UK study has found that alcohol industry groups there misrepresent the alcohol-related risk of cancer in public information. Here, New Zealand experts Professor Sally Casswell of Massey University and Professor Jennie Connor of the University of Otago look at the scrutiny of 27 British alcohol industry organisations, and comment on their “denial and misrepresentation” of cancer risk and “distraction from the effects of alcohol” on common cancers like breast and bowel. This is important research because it takes a systematic approach, and finds overwhelmingly that the alcohol industry misrepresents well-established science and research in progress. This serves the industry’s purpose of interfering with the establishment of reliable public knowledge about health effects of drinking. Researchers in this area regularly experience the dishonesty and disrespect of alcohol industry spokespeople firsthand. Contradiction of well-established evidence in the media is commonplace in New Zealand as elsewhere, and the health professionals and researchers involved are routinely undermined and ridiculed in the process. There have been examples of this in media reports on alcohol and cancer in New Zealand in the past two years, following publication and dissemination of research, largely orchestrated by Spirits New Zealand. This new publication demonstrates beyond doubt that misrepresentation of science is an organised and concerted effort of the alcohol industry, and not just incompetence or local hostility to advocates for better alcohol policy. This work should strengthen our resolve to deal with conflicts of interest between the alcohol industry and policy makers. Professional organisations are increasingly monitoring and restricting relationships between researchers and alcohol industry bodies to avoid inherent conflicts of interest. However, some governance bodies still have enthusiasm about having ‘the industry at the table’ when making decisions on policy, rather than excluding them outright on the basis of their complete conflict of interest and their track record of misrepresenting evidence. The study found that the alcohol industry is highly motivated to obscure the link of alcohol consumption with bowel and breast cancer in particular. These diseases are among the most common causes of cancer death in New Zealand and similar countries, and more people have experience with these conditions. Establishing these links in the public mind is, therefore, a significant threat to the industry, as it makes it impossible for people to believe it is only a small minority of heavy drinkers who could be affected.” Connor is chair in preventive and social medicine at the University of Otago. Sally Casswell says: This is valuable detailed research: it identifies the extent and ways in which the alcohol industry misrepresents evidence about harm from alcohol; in this case, the causal relationship with a number of cancers. It joins a growing body of research showing how the transnational alcohol corporations, directly or via their funded PR organisations, attempt to subvert health promotion messages (awareness of alcohol’s role in cancer remains, as yet, relatively low). The authors of the article highlight the conflict of interest between the objective of the producers and marketers of alcohol, which is to increase their profits, and aspirations of health and well-being. This raises important questions about the way many governments allow industry input into development of alcohol policy and health promotion…this would not be accepted in relation to the tobacco industry and there is, similarly, no place for the alcohol industry.” Casswell is director of social and health outcomes research and evaluation at Massey University. Obsidian wine maker Michael Wood from Waiheke Island has clinched the winemaker of the year award at the New Zealand Aromatic Wine Competition, after impressing judges with three wines that showcase his winery’s consistency. “I think most importantly it recognises the hard work that goes into all of the wine we make,” Wood says. “It starts in the vineyard and ends up at the winery for the final step.” Wood entered three reds into the competition - the Obsidian Reserve Syrah 2015, Obsidian Reserve ‘The Mayor’ 2013 and Obsidian Reserve ‘The Obsidian’ 2015 - which he considers represent island winemaking. “I think the wines that have really put Waiheke Island on the map are Bordeaux-style wines, so I decided to enter with cabernet blends that demonstrate what Waiheke is capable of producing. I also chose the 2015 Obsidian Reserve Syrah as a good example of what Waiheke can produce in a reasonable year,” Wood says. North Canterbury winery Waipara Hills took top honours as the supreme champion ahead of nearly 300 competitors, with its Waipara Valley Riesling 2016 described by chairman of judges Jim Harre as having “stacks of everything,” including finesse and a beautiful acid line. “To be awarded supreme champion wine in show is a great achievement for the whole Waipara Hills team, where our winemaking starts in the vineyard,” the company says..
FT-Nov17-eMag
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