Arthur’s Day - Event is not the problem

Arthur’s Day will be celebrated today.

Unfortunately there has been a somewhat hysterical response to the celebration, which is essentially an advertising gimmick designed to promote the Guinness brand. From the standpoint of advertising the alarm has probably added to the hype and thus helped to boost the advertising.

Guinness is a global brand of which this country should be proud. The product has been so closely associated with Ireland that its promotion abroad undoubtedly helps to bolster Irish trade.

Those who have been complaining about Arthur’s Day have missed what should be the real target. The problem is not Guinness, or any of Diageo’s products, but the abuse of all alcoholic drinks. When it comes to such abuse, St Patrick’s Day undoubtedly poses an even greater problem, but nobody suggests that St Patrick’s Day should be cancelled.

One could not imagine the French getting all hung up over the promotion of champagne, or the Dutch having a similar problem with Heineken. Guinness is a major employer in this country and undoubtedly contributes to thousands of jobs in hotels, pubs, and restaurants.

It is the abuse of alcohol itself that needs to be highlighted and tackled. Arthur’s Day could be used to highlight the importance of responsible drinking, and this would serve a very useful purpose.