MPs have called for the government to consider a French-style ban on alcohol marketing, including outlawing sports sponsorship and all advertising aimed at young people.
A report on the government’s alcohol strategy by the influential health committee called on ministers to investigate the possibility of a UK version of France’s Loi Evin policy, which was introduced in 1991.
The law only allows advertising for any drink containing over 1.2% abv in press aimed at adults, on billboards, certain radio channels and at special events such as wine fairs.
“The committee believes the approach adopted in the French legislation merits serious examination in the English context,” the MPs said.
They called for the move to be considered as part of a sweeping review of the government’s Responsibility Deal, which it claimed lacks teeth.
The committee also backed plans for minimum pricing in England and Wales, although it called for a “sunset clause” – similar to that already agreed in Scotland – which would see a decision on whether to make the move permanent taken at a later date.
The committee also called for the government to scrap a proposed ban on multibuys, claiming the move would “outlaw well-established and convenient retailing techniques”.
Brigid Simmonds of the BBPA said the report was “balanced”.
“The committee is right to stress the importance of evidence-based policy-making and the government should garner more evidence before proceeding with a minimum pricing policy and a proposed ban on multibuys,” she said.
“There are some issues on which we differ from the committee, but there is a mutual recognition of the need for partnership between government, producers and retailers – and with local authorities and the police at the local level.”
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