Fifty-eight health experts, medical professionals and public health organisations have urged the UK education secretary to prohibit schools from using educational materials funded by the food, drink and gambling industries, warning that such resources expose children to harmful influences.

Misrepresenting Evidence in Classrooms

In a letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, dozens of doctors, health charities and public health specialists raised serious concerns about industry-sponsored school materials. Furthermore, they warned that these resources misrepresent evidence about diets, alcohol and betting whilst being used in lessons with pupils across the country.

The group includes prominent organisations such as the Obesity Health Alliance, British Medical Association, World Cancer Research Fund, and numerous directors of public health. Moreover, they expressed alarm at companies gaining “corporate reach” in schools through teacher resource packs and student information sheets.

Teaching Harmful Behaviours

The letter highlights disturbing examples of industry-sponsored school materials that normalise potentially harmful behaviours. According to the experts, some resources teach young people how to pour glasses of wine, distort evidence about alcohol’s role in causing cancer, and promote “responsible gambling” to children.

Professor Chris van Tulleken of University College London posed a stark question: “We wouldn’t let big tobacco teach children about smoking. So why are we allowing the alcohol, gambling and junk food industries into classrooms?” Indeed, he argued that allowing these industries into schools distorts learning and helps establish the next generation of customers.

Specific Examples of Concern

The letter identifies several problematic industry-sponsored school materials currently in use. Specifically, it references Smashed, a play about underage drinking sponsored by drinks firm Diageo and used in PSHE lessons, which allegedly contains “cancer misinformation” by omitting common forms of alcohol-related cancer or suggesting such cancers only affect heavy drinkers.

Additionally, the experts criticised materials produced by GambleAware, an industry-funded charity, for promoting “responsible gambling” concepts. These industry-sponsored school materials introduce young people to gambling products and may facilitate gambling initiation by teaching students how to use betting slips.

The letter also notes that in some sixth-form colleges, brands like Costa Coffee and Starbucks have established outlets selling sugar-laden products directly to students.

Academic Evidence

Research supports the experts’ concerns about industry-sponsored school materials. Academic studies have found that “self-claimed prevention education programmes serve the interests of their commercial funders”. Consequently, these materials help normalise harmful behaviours, omit or misrepresent important risks, and shift responsibility for harm onto individuals whilst deflecting attention from industry practices.

Dr May van Schalkwyk, a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh and expert in corporate tactics, emphasised the urgency: “The evidence is clear. Industries whose products are undermining the health and wellbeing of children and young people fund harmful youth education programmes as part of their corporate strategies.”

Call for Irish Model

The group wants Phillipson to adopt the same approach as the Republic of Ireland. In 2022, the Irish government instructed schools not to use classroom materials funded by the alcohol industry or other “parties with conflicts of interest”. Similarly, the UK experts believe such action is necessary to protect children from commercial influence in educational settings.

Prevention-focused education should prioritise evidence-based information that empowers young people to make informed decisions about their health, rather than materials that may serve commercial interests.

Industry Responses

Diageo defended Smashed, stating it “has successfully educated hundreds of thousands of young people on the risks of underage drinking”. The company claimed that 99% of participating teachers surveyed last year considered such programmes important, and 87% felt more confident discussing underage drinking dangers.

Meanwhile, Drinkaware noted it no longer sponsors materials for schools, with the referenced education programme wound down in 2019. GambleAware’s chief executive, Zoe Osmond, said the charity commissions “independently designed and delivered education programmes” evaluated by independent researchers to raise awareness of gambling risks.

Starbucks confirmed opening outlets “in a small number of schools and further education facilities” but stated these are only available to sixth-formers in schools.

Government Position

A Department for Education spokesperson said the government has “already strengthened statutory guidance to address these concerns”. The guidance makes clear that schools should check external resources are unbiased and guard against organisations with broader interests in promoting harmful products.

However, schools remain responsible for setting their own policies on these subjects and deciding what materials, speakers or organisations to use based on their knowledge of pupils and communities.

The debate over industry-sponsored school materials continues as advocates emphasise the importance of protecting children from commercial influence and ensuring educational content prioritises genuine prevention and health promotion in schools.

Source: dbrecoveryresources