Samantha L Thomas1,2, Jennifer David1, Melanie Randle2,3, Mike Daube4, Kate Senior1,2. 1. School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales. 2. Australian Health Services Research Institute, Faculty of Business, University of Wollongong, New South Wales. 3. School of Management, Operations and Marketing, Faculty of Business, University of Wollongong, New South Wales. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the attitudes and opinions of public health experts in gambling and related unhealthy commodity industries towards the tactics used by the gambling industry to prevent reform and the advocacy responses to these tactics. METHODS: In-depth interviews (30-60 minutes) with a convenience sample of 15 public health experts and stakeholders with a public health approach to gambling (n=10), or other unhealthy commodity industries (food, alcohol, tobacco, n=5). RESULTS: Participants described the influences of political lobbying and donations on public policy, and industry framing of problem gambling as an issue of personal responsibility. Industry funding of, and influence over, academic research was considered to be one of the most effective industry tactics to resist reform. Participants felt there was a need to build stronger coalitions and collaborations between independent academics, and to improve the utilisation of media to more effectively shift perceptions of gambling harm away from the individual and towards the product. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Gambling industry tactics are similar to the tactics of other unhealthy commodity industries. However, advocacy initiatives to counter these tactics in gambling are less developed than in other areas. The formation of national public health coalitions, as well as a strong evidence base regarding industry tactics, will help to strengthen advocacy initiatives.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the attitudes and opinions of public health experts in gambling and related unhealthy commodity industries towards the tactics used by the gambling industry to prevent reform and the advocacy responses to these tactics. METHODS: In-depth interviews (30-60 minutes) with a convenience sample of 15 public health experts and stakeholders with a public health approach to gambling (n=10), or other unhealthy commodity industries (food, alcohol, tobacco, n=5). RESULTS:Participants described the influences of political lobbying and donations on public policy, and industry framing of problem gambling as an issue of personal responsibility. Industry funding of, and influence over, academic research was considered to be one of the most effective industry tactics to resist reform. Participants felt there was a need to build stronger coalitions and collaborations between independent academics, and to improve the utilisation of media to more effectively shift perceptions of gambling harm away from the individual and towards the product. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Gambling industry tactics are similar to the tactics of other unhealthy commodity industries. However, advocacy initiatives to counter these tactics in gambling are less developed than in other areas. The formation of national public health coalitions, as well as a strong evidence base regarding industry tactics, will help to strengthen advocacy initiatives.
Authors: Jennifer L David; Samantha L Thomas; Melanie Randle; Steven J Bowe; Mike Daube Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-11-14 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Cécile Knai; Mark Petticrew; Simon Capewell; Rebecca Cassidy; Jeff Collin; Steven Cummins; Elizabeth Eastmure; Patrick Fafard; Niamh Fitzgerald; Anna B Gilmore; Ben Hawkins; Jørgen Dejgård Jensen; Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi; Nason Maani; Nicholas Mays; Modi Mwatsama; Rima Nakkash; Jim F Orford; Harry Rutter; Natalie Savona; May C I van Schalkwyk; Heide Weishaar Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2021-02