Advertising ban could move alcohol out the spotlight and cut harm
Officials are finalising the Government's 10-Year Health Plan, which is expected in the coming weeks.
A draft version of the document, seen by Sky News, implied a total or partial ban on adverts for alcohol has been considered.
It is not yet known whether the initiative will be included in the final version of the plan.
Campaigners welcomed the prospect of a ban, saying UK regulations on alcohol advertising are 'far weaker' compared to other countries.
Sky also reported minimum alcohol pricing was considered by officials but it is understood this will not be included in the plan.
Commenting on the reports, Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of Alcohol Change UK, said: 'We must face facts: alcohol is a leading health polluter in the UK, affecting the quality of life and health of millions, while cutting too many lives short.
'Despite total consumption going down, alcohol harm is still going up.
'The status quo, including our far weaker advertising regulations compared to other countries, isn't working.
'Alcohol is everywhere: from sponsorship of prime-time TV shows and sporting events, highly visible advertising as we travel to and from work or school, and incessant online marketing that is almost impossible to turn off.
'All the while, endless associations between alcohol and relaxing, socialising, celebrating or commiserating have the effect of glamorising and normalising alcohol, falsely suggesting it is 'essential' to our lives.
'Too many children and young people are exposed to alcohol advertising, especially through sports sponsorship and online. This is totally unacceptable, and the public strongly supports action to protect our children from these tactics so they can enjoy an alcohol-free childhood as they grow and develop.
The alcohol industry said it takes responsible marketing 'very seriously' (Alamy/PA)
'Our kids should no longer be the collateral damage of alcohol marketing.
'Combined with wider measures to unlock better public health, reduce crime and strengthen our economy, we hope to see Government's 10-Year Health Plan and Health Mission Board on Alcohol address out of control industry advertising.
'This is a real opportunity to move alcohol out of the spotlight and reduce harm for millions of people.'
A spokesperson for Portman Group, which represents the alcohol industry, said in a statement: 'The vast majority of people drink within the chief medical officer's weekly guidelines.
'As such, we're not in favour of broad, sweeping measures that impact that moderate majority whilst ignoring the needs of those who drink at the most harmful levels.
'We are deeply concerned by the figures that tell us that 3% of the UK population drink 30% of total alcohol consumed and so we support the use of targeted measures to manage the complex, often interrelated issues resulting in harmful consumption.
'The industry already takes responsible marketing very seriously and we look forward to engaging if there are future consultations around this to ensure we can continue to protect consumers.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Minister admits ‘work needed' to improve neurodivergent support
During a ministerial statement in the chamber on Thursday, Mr Arthur said: 'I recognise significant work is needed in this area. "I do not underestimate how much work is needed to ensure that neurodivergent young people are able to access the support they need when they need it. 'This work will not happen overnight. It will require collaboration and a range of partners working together.' 'I recognise that a formal diagnosis can be important to an individual's identity and understanding of themselves or their child, however, support should be provided on a basis of need not diagnosis.' Mr Arthur also said the government would provide £500,000 of additional funding this year to deliver improvements to the support and services available to children and families. Earlier this week, the report, Experiences of Autism Assessment and Diagnosis in Scotland, surveyed 624 people and it paints a stark picture of delays, refusals, and a lack of support in the current system. Scotland's autism organisations have since warned of a 'highly inconsistent' and 'failing' system with the report pointing to individuals waiting as long as seven years to receive an autism diagnosis. Some 65% of the 624 respondents to the survey were autistic adults with 35% comprising of family members and carers of autistic people. Of those surveyed, nearly two-thirds (62%) reported a lack of information about the process, including a lack of guidance and support. Scottish Labour MSP also hit out at the government for what they named as its "Orwellian" response to the report. READ MORE: Individuals in Scotland waiting seven years for autism diagnosis Labour MSP slams Scottish Government over autism support Autism crisis in Scotland: Can Scot Gov learn from a golden retriever? In his response, newly-appointed Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said accusations that the Scottish Government has 'removed' children from CAMHS waiting lists are false. However, Mr Johnson hit back, saying people have been removed from waiting lists for referral. "They have been removed," he told The Herald, "CAMHS may not be the right service, but they haven't specified what is the right service. "Right now it is impossible, either as a matter of policy or a matter of fact, to get an assessment for autism or ADHD as a child or adult. "Health boards have either stopped taking referrals or have such long waits they might as well have. 'It is Orwellian [from the Government]. To say it is false, just on a strict measurement, it is a fact." Today, Mr Arthur re-iterated his comments that they were "incorrect assertions" that young people are being moved off waiting lists to meet CAMHS waiting times targets. However, Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said he was "dismayed" at this statement from the minister as he said "it's a matter of fact not assertion". "Children get removed off the CAMHS list to different pathways with often indefinite waiting times. "It's struck me as a bit of Orwellian Double Think." 'Some children are still waiting too long to receive the support they need.' Data on neurodevelopmental diagnostic waiting times is currently not publicly available. In the chamber, the minister admitted 'further work is needed' to improve the quality of data in this area. Conservative MSP Brian Whittle accused the Scottish Government of 'cherry-picking and manipulating' data to 'fit their narrative'. Later, the party's public health spokesperson added: 'This SNP government are not being honest with the public and families over why there has been such a massive increase in demand for diagnosis in such a short period of time. 'In typical SNP fashion they have failed to be transparent over the data. 'It is a disgrace that fewer than a third of children were seen for a neurodevelopmental assessment within the recommended timescales in March 2024. 'The SNP government must do more to support children with neurodevelopmental disorders by providing more resources to support activities in communities up and down the country.' The new taskforce on improving neurodivergent support for young people will be chaired jointly by Fiona Davis, chief executive of NHS Highland and Dr. Lynne Binnie, Edinburgh Council's head of Education for Inclusion.
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Western Telegraph
Government rules out ban on alcohol advertising
Officials are finalising the 10-Year Health Plan, which is expected in the coming weeks. A draft version of the document, seen by Sky News, implied a total or partial ban on adverts for alcohol has been considered. However, the ban has now been ruled out. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The 10-Year Health Plan will not include a ban on alcohol advertising. 'We are exploring options for partial restrictions to bring it closer in line with the advertising of unhealthy food.'
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Parents introducing teens to alcohol at home are 'doing lasting harm'
Community Alcohol Partnerships report says giving alcohol to teens at home does not teach them to drink responsibly as Government plans to tackle booze advertising Parents who introduce their children to alcohol at home could be doing lasting harm, experts have warned. A report has found early introduction of alcohol dramatically increases the chances of binge-drinking, alcohol dependency as well as harming the developing brain of teenagers. The Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) report, led by behavioural psychologist Dr Anna Sallis, was presented before MPs at an event in Parliament on Thursday. Kate Winstanley, director of CAP, said: 'Too many parents still mistakenly believe that giving alcohol to children at home will teach them to drink responsibly or reduce the risk of them getting alcohol elsewhere. 'Our report shows that every year earlier a child is given alcohol, their risk of binge drinking and alcohol harm including as an adult will increase. They are also more, not less, likely to obtain alcohol elsewhere if their parents allow them to drink. 'We can't afford to be vague about this issue. The science is clear and our messaging needs to be clear. Parents need to say no to alcohol before 18 and children need their parents to say no. "Under-age drinking is not inevitable and parental supply is preventable. This is not about telling parents they're bad, it's showing them a better way.' The Government is examining the introduction of restrictions which could include a ban on advertising alcoholic drinks on TV before the 9pm watershed. Social media could also see alcohol advertising banned from any website or app where at least quarter of the audience is under the age of 16. The Telegraph reported it would also rule out adverts which appear aimed at under 18s, meaning the avoidance of youth slang or celebrity placements aimed at younger demographics. Such rules are currently only part of self-regulatory guidance but are not widely adhered to. Next week Health Secretary Wes Streeting will launch the Government's long-awaited 10-year health plan that will promise a shift to prevention of illness. READ MORE: Junk food overtakes smoking and alcohol as main cause of ill health in teenagers Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) is a UK-wide initiative set up to tackle underage drinking. Its new report, called Preventing Parental Alcohol Supply to Children and Young People, comes ahead of six pilot schemes aimed at preventing parental supply from 2026. To raise awareness of the issue at Westminster, CAP hosted a breakfast event for MPs in Parliament on Thursday. CAP director Kate Winstanley added: 'One of the biggest drivers of parental supply is the belief that 'everyone is doing it.' If parents think all other parents are giving alcohol to their kids, they'll do the same. But the truth is, most parents don't supply and teen drinking rates are actually falling. "Let's keep it that way, and let's encourage more parents to be part of the majority protecting their kids by saying no to alcohol.'
