Too much alcohol and smoking on British reality TV shows?
June 29, 2020
Par: chef-projet@dnf.asso.fr
Dernière mise à jour: June 29, 2020
Temps de lecture: 2 minutes
A study conducted by the University of Nottingham and published in the Journal of Public Health[1] in 2019 denounces the omnipresence of cigarettes and alcohol in English reality TV shows broadcast at prime time, encouraging the consumption of alcohol and tobacco among young people, particularly minors.
Reality TV shows a potential major driver of alcohol and tobacco consumption
To reach this conclusion, the researchers looked at five British programmes that are very popular with the public: "Celebrity Big Brother", "Made in Chelsea", "The Only Way is Essex", "Geordie Shore" and "Love Island". The researchers therefore examined a total of 112 episodes broadcast between January and August 2018 and explored each scene according to the number of images related to the consumption of tobacco and/or alcohol, at one-minute intervals. The result is unequivocal: alcohol appeared in all of the episodes, or nearly 2,212 one-minute clips, which is equivalent to 42% of all the sequences studied by the researchers. The "Palme d'Or" for representation goes above all to the show "Love Island" which has the greatest number of clips showing alcohol. Forty different brands of alcoholic drinks were thus identified within the programme.
Tobacco - although less present than alcohol - undeniably appears in at least 20 episodes, mainly in the show "Celebrity Big Brother". Unlike alcohol, the researchers did not notice any tobacco brands present on screen.
Production's reaction to the controversy
The representation of alcohol or tobacco in the media promotes the normalisation process and positively influences consumption among young people. Faced with the accusations, the production did not fail to specify that no promotion of cigarette brands had been made and that the candidates had white packets so as not to suggest any advertising. The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)[2] prohibits the placement of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and other tobacco products.
[2] https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code
