• Lets Make the Pimps and Dealers responsible for identifying the most addicted and providing a large portion of the money needed to wean people off of their addiction! *

Seems like we humans never learn from our past mistakes and addiction to various products and brands that, after time, are proven to be harmful to our physical and mental well being.

Some industries have matured and rolled withe changing tide to survive and thrive whilst others refuse to learn from these ‘survivors’.

Lets look at a couple of survivor examples:

Cocaine:

The original Coca-Cola drink did contain cocaine, Coca-Cola was invented in the late 19th century by John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. It was initially marketed as a temperance drink and a patent medicine.

The original recipe included an extract from coca leaves, which is where the “Coca” in Coca-Cola comes from. This extract contained cocaine, although the amount was relatively small by today’s standards.

At the time, cocaine was not recognized as a harmful substance, and it was commonly used in various medicinal products. The drink was intended to provide a stimulating effect, thanks to both the coca leaf extract and the caffeine from kola nuts.

By the early 20th century, public perception of cocaine changed, and Coca-Cola began to remove the cocaine from its formula. By 1929, the drink was completely cocaine-free.

This shift was as a result of consumer and government pressure and allowed Coca-Cola to continue, unfortunately another ingredient in Fizzy Drinks came under the spotlight nearly 100 years later – Sugar.

Sugar:

Sugar in fizzy drinks can be quite harmful to your health and could contribute to:

Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to weight gain and obesity. The high calorie content from sugar can lead to an excess intake of calories, contributing to increased body weight.

There is strong evidence that sugary drinks contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. The high sugar content can lead to insulin resistance, a key factor in the onset of diabetes.

Frequent consumption of sugary drinks is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that high sugar intake can elevate blood pressure and lead to inflammation, both of which are risk factors for heart issues.

High sugar intake, particularly from fructose, can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can cause serious liver damage over time.

Sugary drinks can harm your teeth by feeding bacteria in your mouth, which produce acid that erodes tooth enamel, leading to cavities and other dental issues.

There is evidence suggesting that high consumption of sugary beverages may increase the risk of kidney disease, particularly in individuals with existing health issues.

Regular intake of sugar-sweetened beverages can lead to elevated blood pressure, which is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

In recognition of the above the South African Government introduced the Health Promotion Levy on sugary beverages. The HPL was legislated through the Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Act, 2017 – Act No. 14 of 2017 as published in the Government Gazette on 14 December 2017, with effect from 1 April 2018.

The HPL tax rate is fixed at 2.1 cent per gram of the sugar content that exceeds 4 grams per 100ml. The first 4 grams per 100ml are levy free. The sugar content is calculated on a recognised test report from a testing facility accredited with SANAS or ILAC. In the absence of such a valid test report, a deemed sugar content of 20 grams per 100 ml is assumed.

Once again the fizzy drink manufacturers have bowed to legislation and reduced the sugar content – some quicker than others.

Seat Belts:

If one has a really jaundiced view of the automotive industry then one could say that it is responsible for manufacturing killing machines and is responsible for the loss of many lives – primarily when people do not wear seat belts.

The first country to ‘blink’ and take legislative steps to protect their taxpayers was the United Kingdom when, in 1968, front seat belts became compulsory equipment on all new cars registered in the UK.

It was only in 1984 that New York became the first American state to require vehicle occupants to wear seat belts. This law was known as a primary enforcement law, allowing authorities to stop and ticket drivers solely for not wearing a seat belt.

South Africa first mandated the wearing of seatbelts for front seat occupants in 1977. This initial law made it compulsory for drivers and front-seat passengers to buckle up. Later, in 1987, the law was extended to include all occupants in the vehicle. Furthermore, in 1996, a law was passed requiring rear seat passengers to wear seatbelts as well.

To their good, automotive companies did not embark on advertising campaigns to say that driving without a seat belt was not dangerous, bred real men or other such nonsense – they accepted and upped the game with more safety features – adapted and didn’t die.

BUT

Now let us just take one example of an industry that is sorely in need of some collective curbing, or, as our politicians would say; “Legislation!” and I would say; “Spanking!”

Lets look closer at one example:

TikTok

The impact of TikTok on mental health has been a topic of considerable discussion, and there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. Here’s a summary of the negative contributions that have been highlighted:

Increased Anxiety and Depression: Studies have found that high levels of TikTok use are linked to greater anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality among young people. The constant comparison to others and the pressure to create engaging content can exacerbate these feelings.

Isolation and Loneliness: While TikTok can connect users, it can also lead to feelings of isolation. Spending excessive time on the app may reduce face-to-face interactions, leading to a sense of loneliness.

Mental Health Content Overload: Research indicates that after spending 5-6 hours on TikTok, nearly 50% of the videos viewed may be related to mental health issues. This can create an overwhelming environment for users, especially if they are already struggling with their mental health.

Emotional Nudges: The app provides an endless stream of emotional content, which can be hard to recognize and may impact users in the long run. This constant exposure can lead to emotional fatigue or desensitization.

Body Image Issues: The platform is known for its focus on aesthetics, which can lead to negative body image perceptions among users, particularly young women. This can contribute to eating disorders and low self-esteem.

And, what are TikTok doing about it?

Like the alcohol industry, the pharmaceutical industry and others – they have created the pain for consumers and are now attempting to own the narrative by engaging with mental health experts.

See: TikTok Unveils Expansion of Global Mental Health Fund for an example.

To my mind the fix needs a vital first step:

TikTok can and must limit the amount of time for each unique session on their platform to a maximum of 30 minutes per day.

There are many creative ways that TikTok can do this whilst preserving ad revenue.

* As a matter of fact all social media should exercise the same rate limiting behaviour and, if necessary, charge people large sums of money for extended access and then use a portion of that money to get that specific person mental help with their addiction.

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Read the full article by Alan Straton here: MyPR