Latest news with #alcoholadvertising
Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Labour considers stricter regulations on alcohol adverts
Ministers are considering putting an end to alcohol advertising. The Government is examining the introduction of 'partial restrictions' which could include a ban on promoting booze before the 9pm watershed. Health officials said they were 'exploring options for partial restrictions to bring it closer in line with advertising of unhealthy food'. This could mean that, as well as the 9pm watershed, there could be a total ban on online advertising of alcohol, including on social media and influencer marketing. If the same terms are agreed as for junk food, it could also see alcohol advertising banned from any media where at least a quarter of the audience is under the age of 16. 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 'content appeal' rules are currently only part of self-regulatory guidance. Next week, Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, is due to launch a 10-year health plan, which will promise a shift to the prevention of health problems. On Wednesday, Sky News reported that a draft of one section of the report set out plans to fully or partially ban alcohol advertising. A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said that the plan would not include a full ban. He said: 'We are exploring options for partial restrictions to bring it closer in line with advertising of unhealthy food.' Dr Richard Piper, the 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.' He said the status quo, which includes 'our far weaker advertising regulations compared to other countries', isn't working and warned of '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 intended effect of glamorising and normalising alcohol, falsely suggesting it is 'essential' to our lives,' he added. 'Combined with wider measures to unlock better public health, reduce crime and strengthen our economy, we hope to see the 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.' In January, Ireland introduced a ban on advertising of alcohol on television between 3am and 9pm. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called for tighter restrictions on the marketing of alcohol, including advertising, sponsorship and promotions, in a bid to reduce harmful uses, particularly among young people. Since then, a report by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) found that banning the advertising of alcohol would have little impact on its consumption. The IEA found studies show 'advertising can increase the sale of individual brands' but 'does not increase aggregate sales of the type of product being advertised'.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Not any time, any place, anywhere: Alcohol advertising curbs being considered by ministers as part of 10-year health plan
A clampdown on alcohol advertising is being considered by ministers, it emerged yesterday. In the latest sign of expansion of the 'nanny state', the Government confirmed it is looking at introducing 'partial restrictions' on booze ads among measures in its 10-year health plan. A draft of the document, due to be released next week, also suggested introducing new restrictions on licensing hours for shops and introducing Scottish-style minimum unit pricing. But Government sources yesterday ruled out these measures - though confirmed they were looking at curbs on alcohol advertising. The exact details of what the restrictions would look like have not been finalised. But critics last night lambasted the idea, and accused Labour of trying to 'hammer the final nail into the coffin' of the pub and beer industry. The advertising restrictions could mirror those for junk food, which are due to come into force in January - having been repeatedly delayed. It will mean adverts for 'less healthy' food and drink are banned before the watershed on TV, along with a total ban on paid-for online ads for junk food. The proposals, first revealed by Sky News, are expected to form part of Health Secretary Wes Streeting's 10-year health plan, which he will unveil next week. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told the Mail last night: 'If the pub and beer industry hadn't suffered enough, Labour are trying to hammer the final nail into the coffin.' And Tory shadow health minister Dr Caroline Johnson said: 'A complete ban on alcohol advertising would be absurd nanny statism from the Labour government. 'The Labour government should focus their attention on delivering NHS reform and finishing their 10 year plan, not wrapping up business in more red tape and regulations – particularly as they face their disastrous Jobs Tax and the looming spectre of the Employment's Rights Bill. 'The Conservatives, under Kemi Badenoch's leadership, will always stand for common sense, and against government overreach. Labour should urgently set out what evidence there is for such a measure.' A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said last night: '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 advertising of unhealthy food.' Slogans from some alcohol adverts have become almost as well known as the drinks Last month a report warned that freedoms in Britain are declining at a faster rate than almost anywhere else in Europe. The 'nanny state' index ranked the UK as the 7th worst place on the continent to eat, drink, smoke and vape. The index, published by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the European Policy Information Centre (EPICENTER), scored countries on how they regulate lifestyle choices. As well as the junk food ad ban, other nanny state measures include a recent ban on sales of single-use or 'disposable' vapes - whether or not they contain nicotine. Legislation is also making its way through Parliament which will ban tobacco sales to anybody born on or after January 1 2009. And Sir Keir Starmer wants to introduce supervised toothbrushing for young children.
