Beer ‘important’ for socialisation in ‘loneliness and mental health epidemic’, Heineken boss says | LBC

https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/beer-loneliness-mental-health-epidemic-5HjdFsT_2/

by StGuthlac2025

39 comments

  1. He’s probably right, at least to a certain extent. I don’t think it’s any accident that the decline of social group activity (eg including visits to pubs) has also coincided with a rise in poor mental health. Part of this is undoubtedly the cost of actually going out for a drink, but changes in social habits (or the rise of asocial habits) have also played their part

  2. They don’t let you reply with images in this sub but if they did I’d have done the Marge Simpson – It’s true but he shouldn’t say it

  3. I thought we were just told last month that any type of alcohol was bad for your physical health. Even a tipple. So what are we to do?

  4. Since stopping drinking I’ve realised how good it is for socialising and bonding. I’ve got good people skills, I like talking to new people, but sober interaction doesn’t really compare to a tipsy laugh with your mates or a drunken heart to heart.

    I’ve thought a lot about alcohol since I’ve stopped (for health not addiction) and I’ve been reading about the relationship humans have had with alcohol for millennia. I’m almost of the opinion that the human race wouldn’t have developed in the way it did without alcohol, it’s so good at bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging.

  5. My product is really good for your mental health says CEO of said product, buy more of it please

  6. And the CEO of Lockheed Martin thinks buying more of their weapons is the key to world peace.

  8. Absolutely. First thing I’d do as PM is find ways to support community pubs. Cut the duty on drinks to zero etc.

  9. He’s maybe got a point but nowadays I see the trend with GenZ and anyone under 35 these days that guys have replaced the pub with the gym now.

  10. I wonder if Challenge 25 has contributed to the increase in anxiety and the stunted development of Gen Z

  11. Having a variety of options would be good for loneliness and mental health epidemic. Shouldn’t only have alcohol as a way to socialise.

    Im saying that as a non drinker yes, but I’m not one of those ones who think it should be banished, so I agree it should be better handled, cost less etc. A bit of variety would be nice though.

  12. Socialisation sure, but mental health? I’m pretty sure alcohol makes that worse.

  13. This is ancient and common knowledge.

    A good, affordable local does absolute wonders for a community.

  14. It should not be so expensive to buy a beer at a pub compared to a shop. This is what causes people to stay in, isolate and drink at home which leads to dangerous and addictive drinking

  15. I drink most nights in pub, usually 1 or 2. If i don’t get out the house for a bit, i dont really shift into end of day mode. And i like to chat

  16. First couple of pints take the edge off, it’s what comes after that’s the problem.

    I can’t be dealing with the headaches as I age. 

  17. I don’t disagree. I’ve had a really difficult few years and one of the key points of respite, which has been invaluable for my mental health, has been having a pint or two at the pub and either reading a book or chatting with locals.

    Obviously alcohol abuse is an entirely different kettle of fish.

  18. In other news: Lard Marketing Board reports that lard is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle

  19. You could probably say that about a certain class-a drug too, doesn’t mean its good for you.

  20. That doesn’t make sense in countries where Alcohol consumption isn’t a thing.

    It’s not the beer, it’s the enviroment that we have ‘designated’ in our minds as a socialising area. Many dry countries have tea houses/shops where people come and sit around socialising.

  21. Many pubs near me shut their doors due to the indoor smoking ban imposed by Blair’s government. Being unable to light up inside made a lot of people stop going to the pub, and there is no leeway whatsoever (no provision for dedicated rooms dedicated to smoking, no requirements for better ventilation, etc.)

    There are now two pubs left within a 30 min walk from me. There used to be six.

  22. I cannot stand the attitude in this country at times that the only social thing you can do, is drink.

    I’m glad young people are realising there’s so much other stuff that is infinitely better fun and less harmful.

  23. It absolutely is.

    I’m a double dad, and I rarely have time to meet friends now, as they live far away. But I do try to go to the local pub about once a week. It’s a great one, as far as local pubs are concerned and I easily end up conversing with new people each time. It’s honestly such a refreshing and important thing for my mental health.

    And I don’t get sloshed. 4 pints.

  24. Meanwhile the boss of Domino’s says pizza gets you laid.

  25. Certainly true in a way, but I would go significantly further.

    We’re suffering from a severe lack of all kinds of third places (which is to say places to gather with others for socialisation out of the house, in public)

    The “local pub” is one of the last of such spaces, but people are quite literally being priced out of them, due to the price of beer among other things.

    We need not just better support for pubs, so people can socialise within their community.
    But many more public places to hang out with other people, that doesn’t require spending money.

    As all such places have been slowly but surely destroyed over the last few decades, either by charging money and so pricing people out of wanting to go, or just being removed entirely because “it doesn’t make money so why have it”

    It’s a key reason for the loneliness epidemic, and the loss of feeling of community people have as of late.
    Socialisation itself has been monetised, and so people are now budgeting it out of their spending.

  26. “cigarettes provide a smooth tasting, great aid to relaxation and socializing, now in banana flavours” says Marlboro boss.

  27. I have discovered this recently. It’s bad, it’s unhealthy, but it’s generally done a 180 on my lonesome and poor mental health. A week I spent on a work trip coworkers. Drinking with them, felt like a radical and incredible transformation on my brain and social skills. I felt like the shackles of anxiety evaporated and I finally understood how to exist in a social space absent from feeling horrendous.

  28. They’re not wrong. It’s just a shame that they’re a company who sell such bad beer it puts me off going to a pub.

  29. “please poison yourselves to justify our rent… it’s good…”

  30. CEO of carcinogen: “Carcinogen important for socialisation”

  31. Hmm I wonder what reason Heineken would have for saying this

  32. I agree, we’ve been socialising in pubs/inns/taverns/baths, etc. for thousands of years. It’s a fun time and promotes socialising.

  33. Alcohol is demonic and ruins lives and harms those around it. Good riddance.

  34. Pure marketing crap as alcohol sales are going down and the alcohol industry isn’t happy! You dont need alcohol to socialise SO many other things you can do.

  35. Drug dealer says addictive drug is good for the mentally unwell because apparently there is no other way to socialise…

  36. Increase the ease with which pubs can be taken over by local communities unpick the monopolies pubs brews its own beer set your own prices

  37. We’ve been getting a few of these “Boss of company says their product is vital to public wellbeing” stories lately. Had JP Morgan’s boss say the same thing only a few days ago. It’s probably due to the budget coming up.

    There’s not much scrutiny to whether they might be a wee bit biased though…

  38. As long as the Heineken boss is okay with taxing pub alcohol less and taxing supermarket alcohol more to counteract the government tax loss to make people want to go to the pub instead of staying in, I’m in agreement with him. I hope he’s not just saying this to sell more alcohol to make more money, and instead he’s actually altruistic and concerned for the epidemic.

    Let me hold my breath…

  39. As others have said they should remove the duty and VAT from drinks and food in pubs and restaurants. The cost needs passed on to supermarket booze, the fact people can drink cheap booze with zero controls at home should end. It should be cheaper to go for a pint than a beer at home

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