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Ban alcohol adverts and set minimum price levels, say doctors
Sophie Goodchild, Health Editor08.09.09
Doctors accused supermarkets today of encouraging binge drinking by offering alcohol at discounted prices.
A report from the British Medical Association criticised stores for fuelling the problem with “excessive” promotions and discounts on drink.
These promotions are instantly recognised as bargains by shoppers and rival the traditional staples such as bread and milk in popularity.
Experts from the BMA's board of science branded controls on alcohol promotion “completely inadequate” and called for a ban on drink advertising and the introduction of minimum price levels.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics, said society was awash with pro-alcohol messaging targeted at young people: “Over the centuries alcohol has become established as the country's favourite drug.
“Young people are drinking more because the whole population is drinking more.
“In treating this we need to look beyond young people and at society as a whole.”
The call for an advertising ban will increase pressure on ministers to reduce the power of the drinks industry.
Today campaigners and addiction experts will outline new strategies for tackling problem drinking in adolescents at a Royal Society of Medicine conference.
Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker, who is speaking at the conference, said celebrities who associated themselves with drinks products were also partly to blame.
“Evidence shows young people are influenced by alcohol advertising.
“The industry spends millions on promoting alcohol and a measly amount in comparison on health campaigns,” he said.
“It's hard for young people to take in sensible drinking messages when their heroes associate themselves with drinks products and appear to promote a norm of heavy drinking.”
The proposed advertising ban includes sports events and music festival sponsorship and also all promotional deals such as happy hours, two-for-one purchases and bars offering women free entry.
The author of the BMA report, Professor Gerard Hastings, said alcohol had never been so heavily promoted: “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.”
The study, called Under The Influence, found £800 million a year is spent on “encouraging” alcohol use.
It also said nine out of 10 under-13s were able to recognise brands such as Carling and Smirnoff and WKD from packaging.
The BMA said it was not anti-alcohol but that the focus of doctors should be to ensure people drank sensibly.
HAPPY HOUR AT SUPERMARKETS
Beck's Bier (4x440ml) Asda: Two for £6 (was £4.56 for one)
Foster's (15x 440ml) Asda: Two for £16 (was £10 for one)
Malibu White Rum (1L) Asda: £13.84 (was £17.40)
Offenbach Rose Champagne (750ml) Sainsbury's: £17.99 (was £35.99)
Charles Lafitte Champagne Non Vintage (750ml) Sainsbury's: £13.99 (was £27.99)
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz Australia (750ml) Sainsbury's: £14.99 (was £19.99)
Duchy Originals Organic Select Ale (500ml) Waitrose: £1.61 (was £2.15)
William Grant's Scotch Whisky (1L) Waitrose: £14.98 (was £17.90)
Bacardi Breezer (4x 225ml) Waitrose: Two for £8 (was £4.49)
Guinness Draught (12x 440ml) Tesco: £10 (was £15.25)
Banrock Station Reserve Chardonnay (750ml) Tesco: £4.99 (was £9.99)
Chateau Clos Renon Bordeaux Superieure (750ml) Tesco: £6.49 (was £12.99)
Reader views (18)
This is all rather dubious. What about celebrities who associate themselves with the advertising of crisps or sugary, so called 'high energy' drinks? Raising the price of alcohol will only result in it becoming more attractive. Wine is cheap in Italy, but I have rarely seen it openly abused by young people in Italy.
- Mark, Venice, Italy
Claire, London - "proof of ID" requires just that, a readily identifiable proof of ID. In the USA that is universally, a photo ID driver's license, or an entirely OPTIONAL state ID card for those who feel the need for one. You're right that it is fairly rigorously enforced and with fair success - but the ID card is not going to come to the UK for a while yet is it, at least not while it is the vehicle for everything the government control freaks want instead of a simple thing like the Yanks use (currently - I wouldn't put it past the socialist administraton of Obama to 'require' similar bio-chipped monstrosities that are causing so much unrest in the UK despite the serious on-going state by state opposition to the schemes - 'for our own good').
- Rogan, Irving
oh the BMA should take a running jump. We've always been a nation of drinkers but we're hardly in Gin Alley territory nowadays. With smoking banned and ale over £3 a pint we'll soon have no pubs left.
- Squiz, Islington
"enforce it as they do in the USA" - Peter Haldane, London
And exactly how good is their model of civilisation when gun toting red necks hoover down co-workers whilst sharing a bottle of wine in a park with your girlfriend is a criminal act.
- Pete, London
Claire, London
There is no legal age limit in this country for the consumption of alcohol. Up to the age of two alcohol has to be prescribed by a doctor but over the age of two anybody can have a drink.
The 18 limit only applies to the sale of alcohol and in a restaurant a 16 year old can legally purchase alcohol.
Perhaps it would be a tad more responsible if parents introduced their children to alcohol at an early age, as they tend to do on the Continent rather than let them dive in head first once they are old (or look old) enough to get into a bar.
- Mark, South-East London
Of course a ban on advertising will stop young people abusing alcohol. It worked with cannabis, ecstasy and hard drugs, did it not?
- Ian Cameron, London, UK
Why not go the whole way, ban alcohol, Sharia law, outlaw christianity. Do it soon before the Cameron Muppets get in to fully ruin the country. Back to the Middle Ages now!!
- John, Romford England
Do Nothing. I like watching the CCTV pictures of drunken idiots throwing up in the gutter, kicking the daylights out of each other and getting nicked by the old bill (albeit only occasionaly).
- Lillian, London
So my tax on beer is paying for these people to tell me not to drink, Ah well, if they actually promise to shut up and take the pay cut (as less tax less NHS money) for doing less pontificating and more doctoring I'll stop drinking beer - any takers?
- Jim, London
I pay too much tax, therefore I drink. Reduce the former and I'll consider the latter.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one
Lets ban people who say lets ban !!!! they want us all sitting indoors with our mouths open watching tv listening to there drivel about Smoking , drinking , and driving your car using petrol.
DONT LISTEN TO THEM !!!! GET OUT, GET LIVING, WHO CARES IF WE DONT LIVE TO BE A 100, AT LEAST WE HAD FUN !
Oh yeah living to long is bad for the economy and you are a financial burden on your kids as well.
- Brian, Wiltshire
And the drop in Tax & Revenue caused by it can be off set by reducing doctors salaries and perk.
The thought of adjusting culture, education and simiplar method wouldn't work, WOULD THEY? Europe must have a secret they are not telling the Uk establishment. There was higher unemployment and less state handouts 40/50 years ago, and drunken mob violence was not a major problem, individual cases were an issue.
If a culture can move one way it can be moved back with time.
- Robert, Victoria, Seychelles
Its the poorest in society that will suffer the most again. The rich and famous will carry on binge drinking. We will just start buying booze abroad again instead of here. If we are really drinking more, I think it is a sign of the times rather than anything else. It is quite depressing for a lot of people with debts, unemployment and the poor outlook for future pensions. No wonder we turn to drink!!
- Jackie, Dagenham
Stop advertising, prohibit sports sponsorship, raise the minimum drinking age to 21 and enforce it as they do in the USA with licensing authorities and our lazy police working together. At present, town centres are at night in the grip of the drunken and self indulgent. No adult would go there and it must be doing untold damage to our tourist industry. Night time economy indeed - another Blairism.
- Peter Haldane, London
Ta for the tips on where to pick up a bargain - I'm off to Sainsbury's, Tesco's & Asda with a big bag.
- Ian, Cambridge
I still don't know why this country doesn't up the age limit of drinking from 18 to 21, with proof of ID. This wouldn't solve the problem, but I'm sure it would have some impact on the drinking culture this country has.
- Claire, London
Pots and kettles come to mind - Doctors tend to be the heaviest drinkers (and smokers) in society, certainly if my experience is anything to go by. I've had enough of the nanny state and don't see why I should have to pay more for a bottle of wine just because a bunch of chavs go mad on cheap lager (which they probably nicked anyway)?
- Paul, London
Once again the general law abiding public are going to be punished for the disgusting minority.
I bet that this is just seen as another revenue opportunity to fill the void that is Labours books.
Why should I have to pay even more tax on alcohol as a responsible working man, I can barely afford to goto the pub as it is.
I see a black market about to be fuelled with cheap imports.
- David Cuff, Manchester
