Health group targets gambling sponsorship

“We know from a recent survey completed in January this year that WA parents of children under 15 are concerned about sponsorship of elite sport and community events by companies promoting alcohol and junk food,” Dr Capolingua said.


“They are worried that the link between unhealthy products and sport will influence children to think more positively about the products promoted, which is of course, why those companies want to use sport to promote their products.”


Health group targets gambling sponsorship
Cathy O'Leary Medical Editor, The West Australian Updated June 11, 2013

WA’s health promotion agency could soon push for sporting clubs to give up gambling revenue in return for its multimillion-dollar sponsorship.

Healthway, which is funded by tobacco taxes, has already demanded that sporting clubs cut ties with alcohol and junk food companies in return for funding, but now it has gambling in its sights.

Chairwoman Rosanna Capolingua has been reappointed for another three years, despite speculation the State Government was under pressure from sporting interests to replace her because of her outspoken stance on “unhealthy” sponsors.

WA Rugby League and Rugby WA are among groups that have lost thousands of dollars in funding in the past few years because of links with fast-food giants.


Dr Capolingua is Healthway’s longest-serving board member, representing the Australian Medical Association for nine years until the Government appointed her to head the board in 2009.

She said Healthway would increase its response to the concerns of WA families about the promotion of alcohol and junk food through sport, while continuing to offer sports a pathway to escape unhealthy sponsors.


“We know from a recent survey completed in January this year that WA parents of children under 15 are concerned about sponsorship of elite sport and community events by companies promoting alcohol and junk food,” Dr Capolingua said.


“They are worried that the link between unhealthy products and sport will influence children to think more positively about the products promoted, which is of course, why those companies want to use sport to promote their products.”


Dr Capolingua said the same University of WA survey showed that gambling promotions in sport had recently become a big concern.


“Gambling has been shown to have an adverse impact on mental and physical health,” she said.

“Our board is aware and concerned about the potential toxic effects of using sport to promote gambling and we are pleased to note that this issue has caught the attention of Federal legislators.”

Dr Capolingua said the past three years had been challenging because Healthway’s sponsorship program threatened the stronghold of vested interests of alcohol and junk food companies.
Health Minister Kim Hames said Dr Capolingua brought a wealth of experience to her role so that Healthway could provide valuable sponsorship to sport while protecting people from harm.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/17549274/health-group-targets-gambling-sponsorship/