Strong support to ban alcohol ads near schools

Ministers are being urged to support a ban on alcohol advertising near schools after research revealed the majority of the Scottish public would support the policy.

A new survey suggests strong support for further limits on alcohol advertising

A total of 78% of those questioned by MSPs on the Holyrood’s health committee said they were favour of a ban on alcohol adverts near schools.

The data will be used to inform members of the cross-party body taking evidence on the Alcohol Bill, which was introduced into the Scottish Parliament by Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson.

Simpson proposes to ban alcohol advertising within 200 meters of schools, nurseries and play parks, in addition to all public events where the majority of people taking part are children or the event is targeted at children.

These suggestions were supported by 83% of the 543 respondents, and if the legislation is given the green light it would result in fines for those who breach the regulations.

“The proposals with the strongest support were the ban on advertising near venues used by children and the ban on sponsorship of events targeted at children,” the survey report read.

Simpson welcomed the backing of his proposed ban on alcohol advertising near schools.

“I believe that with the minimum unit pricing, and the legislation still being suspended in the European Court, this bill is even more important,” he said.

‘With Scotland’s alcohol consumption per head among the highest in the world, we cannot afford to wait any longer on this issue.”

The health committee is set to continue receiving evidence on the bill, and parliament will vote on the matter in February 2016.