The drinks industry has branded the British Medical Association's call for an advertising ban "utterly inappropriate" and warned it could devastate the drinks, sports and media sectors.
The BMA this week called for a total ban on drink advertising, a reduction in licensing hours for both on and off-trade, minimum alcohol pricing and more duty increases.
But exclusive data released to The Grocer shows the beleaguered drinks sector has already cut its advertising by a third.
Figures from advertising consultancy Billetts reveal drinks companies have cut their ad spend to £102m over the past 12 months, down a huge 32.7% on the year before more than three times the overall drop in ad spend. TV spend was hit particularly hard, down 44.5% year-on-year.
The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said the ad spend figures showed that despite its supposed resilience, the drinks sector was suffering in the recession. The BMA's proposals would be devastating and would not tackle problem drinking, it added.
"An advertising drop like this in a sector that lives and dies by its brands clearly shows this recession has had a real impact," said Gavin Partington of the WSTA. "The truth is, the combination of successive tax increases, cost price inflation and consumers spending less is a painful one for drinks brands.
"This shows how utterly inappropriate this move is. It would have a very serious impact on the drinks industry, media, marketing and TV. Alcohol consumption has been falling since 2004 and Britain already has among the highest taxes on alcohol in Europe. It should be obvious by now that higher taxation and higher prices don't curb alcohol misuse."
The Advertising Standards Authority this week gave drinks advertising a clean bill of health. It found 99% of drinks adverts fully complied with its rules. "This demonstrates the industry's commitment to adhering to those rules," said ASA chief executive Guy Parker.
The BMA this week called for a total ban on drink advertising, a reduction in licensing hours for both on and off-trade, minimum alcohol pricing and more duty increases.
But exclusive data released to The Grocer shows the beleaguered drinks sector has already cut its advertising by a third.
Figures from advertising consultancy Billetts reveal drinks companies have cut their ad spend to £102m over the past 12 months, down a huge 32.7% on the year before more than three times the overall drop in ad spend. TV spend was hit particularly hard, down 44.5% year-on-year.
The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said the ad spend figures showed that despite its supposed resilience, the drinks sector was suffering in the recession. The BMA's proposals would be devastating and would not tackle problem drinking, it added.
"An advertising drop like this in a sector that lives and dies by its brands clearly shows this recession has had a real impact," said Gavin Partington of the WSTA. "The truth is, the combination of successive tax increases, cost price inflation and consumers spending less is a painful one for drinks brands.
"This shows how utterly inappropriate this move is. It would have a very serious impact on the drinks industry, media, marketing and TV. Alcohol consumption has been falling since 2004 and Britain already has among the highest taxes on alcohol in Europe. It should be obvious by now that higher taxation and higher prices don't curb alcohol misuse."
The Advertising Standards Authority this week gave drinks advertising a clean bill of health. It found 99% of drinks adverts fully complied with its rules. "This demonstrates the industry's commitment to adhering to those rules," said ASA chief executive Guy Parker.
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