9th Sep 09
Doctors call for ban on alcohol advertising
by Harry Oldfield
According to many doctors in the UK, all alcohol advertising should be banned – including the sponsorship of music and sports.
The British Medical Association has said that stricter regulation on marketing is needed, and that cut-price deals should come to an end, in order to put an end to the increasing consumption of alcohol.
At least £800 million per year is spent by the industry on promoting drinks, with approximately 25 per cent of that amount spent on direct advertising.
Doctors are saying that action must be taken as alcohol has become a leading cause of disability and early death.
Figures from the World Health Organisation show that only smoking and high blood pressure are responsible for higher rates of death and disability. In addition, the cost to the NHS for treating alcohol-related illness and injury is estimated at as much as £3 billion per year.
Figures also show that alcohol consumption in the UK has risen rapidly recently, with more than one-third of all adults now reportedly drinking more than the recommended amounts.
The report made special mention of the impact of alcohol marketing on the drinking habits of young Britons.
It pointed out that although the amount spent of direct advertising – nearly £200 million per year – was significant, it was the growth in the more subtle types of marketing that was a concern.
The alcohol industry is now a major sponsor of sporting events, and is now second only to the finance sector in overall spending.
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