Flyers advertising polar opposites delivered in Guernsey

Saturday, 19 September 2026 07:00

By Euan Mahy

A postcard promoting safe drinking and a glossy alcohol flyer end up going through some letter boxes at the same time.

Rethink Your Drink is a card used by the Health Improvement Commission to get people to consider their alcohol intake and how it aligns with the recommended maximum 14 units per week.

It was sent out to Guernsey homes over the past week, but in some cases in the same bundle as a glossy flyer advertising alcoholic drinks.

Guernsey Post say they were pleased to support Rethink Your Drink through their Door2Door service, which is used by companies, charities and the public sector to distribute flyers and ad campaigns.

A spokesperson says the fact the alcohol units postcard and the drinks promo went out in the same batch is coincidence:

"As part of that Door2Door service, multiple unrelated leaflet campaigns may be delivered during the same distribution period, and distributions are not generally undertaken on an exclusive basis.

"The supermarket leaflet referred to formed part of a wider promotion campaign containing a range of retail offers."

The Health Improvement Commission's substance use lead, Andrea Nightingale, says they planned the campaign but had no say on accompanying flyers:

"In many ways, the situation highlights exactly the challenge we face.

"While we are working to encourage people to think about their health and wellbeing and make informed decisions about alcohol, they are simultaneously exposed to multiple commercial messages promoting alcohol consumption.

"Campaigns such as Rethink Your Drink help ensure that people also have access to trusted, evidence-based information to support healthier choices."