Calls to ban alcohol ads ‘weak and misleading’

The Portman Group has slammed calls from Alcohol Concern for tougher restrictions on alcohol advertising as “weak and misleading”.

Calls for stricter alcohol advertising regulations have been called “weak and misleading”

It comes in light of a survey conducted by Alcohol Concern, Alcohol Focus Scotland, Balance North East and Drink Wise published today, which claims 84% of the public agree alcohol adverts in cinemas should only be broadcast if films have an 18 certificate, while 74% support a ban on alcohol advertising before the 9pm watershed.

As a result, the companies are calling for all alcohol advertising to be limited to factual information in adult press with a “phased removal of alcohol sponsorships”.

“This research just shows how many of our children are being exposed to alcohol marketing, with an even bigger impact being made on those children with an interest in sport,” commented Tom Smith, head of policy at Alcohol Concern.

“Children get bombarded with pro-drinking messages and the existing codes are failing to protect them.

“We also know the public share our concerns which is why we need urgent action from the government to make sure tighter regulations on alcohol advertising are implemented.”

Harmful drinking

However, the Portman Group has hit back at the research arguing it goes against official government statistics.

According to the Health and Care Information Centre, NHS, in England consumption among 11-15-year-olds declined 34% between 2004-2013 and those within the same age range who thought it was acceptable to drink alcohol once a week also dropped 22% since 2008.

Furthermore, the number of alcohol related hospital admissions among those younger than 18 fell 34% between 2009-2013.

“This is yet another weak and misleading piece of research from Alcohol Concern who choose to ignore the official government statistics that show underage drinking has been declining at a significant rate for the last decade,” said a spokesman for the Portman Group.

“Alcohol sponsorship is already strictly controlled in the UK and drinks companies are required to actively promote responsible drinking as part of their sponsorship agreements.

“Bans on alcohol sponsorship do not reduce alcohol harms. In France, an alcohol sponsorship and marketing ban has been accompanied by two decades of increasingly harmful drinking among children and teenagers.”