Heather Robinson

Most adults, and some children, have good recol-lections of parents and teachers begging them to behave responsibly. These exhortations literally continue throughout life, both at home and at work. Politicians are constantly being urged to behave "responsibly" and especially in this the period leading up to the general elections. But how far and with whom does responsibility rest?

A couple weeks ago, one of Jamaica's oldest and more respected companies launched an interesting programme which urged Jamaicans to be responsible. Red Stripe launched a "drink responsibly" programme. The company produces most of the popular alcoholic beverages which one can consume straight from a bottle. These include Red Stripe, Guiness and Heineken. Why therefore, should drinkers of these beers and stouts be expected to respond positively to the "please drink-responsibly" request placed on a bottle and in radio, television and print advertisements?

The answer is simple. The consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol can, and in some cases, will result in irresponsible behaviour that can result in poor health and in some cases death. By urging us to drink responsibly, Red Stripe is being a good corporate citizen, while at the same running the risk of a reduction in sales. Many doctors and other health practitioners, including those who work in the emergency room of Jamaica's hospitals, must, by now, be praying and hoping that many will heed the call.

I am not aware of what percentage of deaths in Jamaica is the result of irresponsible drinking, neither am I aware of the number of deaths that occur as a result of smoking cigarettes, but it is my guess that smoking is the bigger killer. Some cigarette boxes have these words displayed in bold letters: SMOKING KILLS. Smokers, however, appear to be either unaware or unable to read both words, as they light cigarette after cigarette, ignoring the warning from Jamaica's chief medical officer. But are alcohol and cigarettes the only items about which we should be concerned?

Not honest enough

Should all fast food restaurants have signs posted which read: fats clog arteries; oily food is bad for your health; too much sugar kills; eating fast is bad for digestion; eat vegetables and know the additives in your meal? I doubt that any would be honest enough to place any such sign in their restaurant.

And what about motor car dealers placing these signs in their show rooms: speeding kills and be a good overtaker? And will any motor car maker place a sensor in the car that is activated once the speed limit has been exceeded? And will Smith and Wesson ever write 'gun can kill you and your child' on the box of every firearm sold?

Governments, through their ministries of health, require that smokers be advised of the lethal dangers of smoking, but they do not require companies who produce alcohol to urge drinkers to drink responsibly through radio and television advertisements, and they certainly have not urged restaurants to tell their customers of the possible health risks associated with eating certain types of foods. Cars that can be driven at speeds exceeding 240 kilometres are being imported, without any caution, and our security forces continue to try to reduce the number of illegal firearms in Jamaica.

Red Stripe has taken a very bold and responsible step. They must be commended, and others should be encouraged to follow their lead. In determining what we consume in liquid or solid form, we should try and place the producers or suppliers of these products in the context of the Red Stripe initiative. Those who set good examples are not only to be congratulated, but emulated. That is what responsible living is about.