BMA calls for a ban on all alcohol advertising

The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for a total ban on alcohol advertising, including sports events and music festival sponsorship, in a bid to "tackle the soaring cost of alcohol-related harm, particularly in young people".

In addition, the BMA is calling for an end to all promotional deals like happy hours, two-for-one purchases and ladies' free entry nights.

The new BMA report, "Under the Influence", launched today also renews the call for other tough measures, such as a minimum price per unit on alcoholic drinks and for them to be taxed higher than the rate of inflation.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of BMA Science and Ethics, said: "Over the centuries alcohol has become established as the country's favourite drug.

"The reality is that young people are drinking more because the whole population is drinking more and our society is awash with pro-alcohol messaging and marketing.

"In treating this we need to look beyond young people and at society as a whole."

Alcohol consumption in the UK, said the BMA, has "increased rapidly" in recent years.

For example, household expenditure on all alcoholic drinks increased by 81% between 1992 and 2006.

And at the same time, said the author of the report, Professor Gerard Hastings, never before has alcohol been so heavily promoted.

He said: "Given the alcohol industry spends £800m a year in promoting alcohol in the UK, it is no surprise that children and young people see it everywhere - on TV, in magazines, on billboards, as part of music festivals or football sponsorship deals, on internet pop-ups and on social networking sites.

"Given adolescents often dislike the taste of alcohol, new products like alcopops and toffee vodka, are developed and promoted as they have greater appeal to young people.

"All these promotional activities serve to normalise alcohol as an essential part of every day life. It is no surprise that young people are drawn to alcohol."

Key recommendations from the report include a ban on all alcohol marketing and promotion, minimum price levels for the sale of alcoholic products, tax increases on alcohol set above the rate of inflation and linked to alcoholic content and a reduction in licensing hours for on- and off-licence premises.

Would it make a difference?

No surprise here, they hammered the smokers now its the drinkers turn. How long before we have alchohol free bars?

cockney wrote:No surprise here, they hammered the smokers now its the drinkers turn. How long before we have alchohol free bars?

They're called cafes, aren't they?

cockney wrote:No surprise here, they hammered the smokers now its the drinkers turn. How long before we have alchohol free bars?

Next thing you know they'll be having a go at people who smoke dope/spice etc, outrageous

I'm going to open a Solpadeine bar.

"Nine pints of Solpadeine extra please and a bag of Ready Salted Nurofen plus"
"Anything else?"
"Two pints of Night Nurse and a couple of small Buttercups with straws for the kids"
"Calpol sprinkles?"
"yeah go on"

That is your future.