Drinks industry leaders have rejected fresh calls from health campaigners for a watershed on alcohol advertising in order to protect children.
The Alcohol Concern charity has repeated its call for a ban on televised adverts for alcoholic drinks before 21:00 in the UK. Its fresh recommendation follows a report, commissioned by the charity, that shows 1.5m children were exposed to alcohol adverts during televised England football matches in last summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Although Alcohol Concern conceded that the adverts were “deemed within advertising regulations”, it said that the rules should be changed. The charity has also called for a ban on alcohol advertising in sport and music, as well as on the internet. It claimed that under-18s see an average of four alcohol adverts per day.
“It is simply unacceptable that vast numbers of children are so frequently exposed to alcohol advertising, leading to higher levels of drinking among young people and increasingly higher levels of harm,” said Alcohol Concern’s CEO, Don Shenker, citing recent research.
Drinks industry leaders rejected Shenker’s argument. “Alcohol Concern’s claim that advertising of alcohol drinks leads to higher levels of drinking among under 18’s is not supported by the evidence,” said the CEO of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, Jeremy Beadles.
“In fact a recently concluded study led by Professor Gerard Hastings of Stirling University, a staunch critic of alcohol advertising, found no association between awareness of alcohol marketing at age 13 and either the onset of drinking or the amount consumed two years later.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“We believe culture change is more likely to be achieved through long term education and tough enforcement,” he said today (19 October).
Subscribe to Just Drinks for just £1 for 1 month
Stay ahead with unbiased news, expert commentary, and in-depth features on global topics.
As a trusted provider of data and insights, Just Drinks collaborates closely with industry leaders and professionals to offer unique thought leadership and analysis. Gain a deeper understanding of the drinks industry’s trajectory and the priorities shaping the profession.
What’s included in your subscription:
- Personalized Access: Secure login to Just Drinks
- Industry News & Expert Commentary: Timely updates and exclusive C-level interviews.
- Case Studies & Deep Dives: Real-world applications and in-depth analyses.
- Exclusive Subscriber Newsletter: Weekly top features, plus a new thematic report and webinar.
Ready to stay informed?
Subscribe to unlock exclusive content.
Already a subscriber? Sign in to access your account.
Pleasecomplete this form to request more information, and a representative will be in touch shortly.
