Alcohol advertising could face a complete ban across the UK, if the latest leak from the Department of Health & Social Care proves accurate.
While the official document outlining the full NHS 10-year Health Plan is due to be released next week, Sky News has seen a draft of one section, which sets out plans to ban alcohol advertising within the UK.
The move, which would mirror that faced by the tobacco industry in 2003, would have wide-reaching consequences across the sector.
Plans initially proposed as part of the NHS 10-year plan – such as imposing restrictions on licensing hours for retailers and supermarkets or introducing Scottish-style minimum unit pricing – have either been ruled out by health secretary Wes Streeting or were not included in the leaked draft, Sky News reported.
However, a full or partial ban alcohol advertising remains under consideration.
Streeting is currently touring the UK to promote the plan, which is primarily focused on closing health inequalities.
By choosing to take action against alcohol companies instead of increasing the cost of alcohol at the point of purchase, Streeting would be pushing the financial implications of his plan on to businesses rather than consumers, avoiding accusations of levying a stealth tax against working class people.
There are already strict controls around alcohol adverts, both in terms of content and placement. They must not condone excessive or “unwise” drinking, appeal to under-age drinkers or appear in locations (either physical or digital) where they are likely to be seen by under-18s.
Alcohol harm
Alcohol misuse currently costs the NHS around £3.5bn per year in England, while social and economic harm costs society an estimated £21bn per year. The report apparently outlines further government figures, revealing that just 3% of the population drink 30% of the alcohol consumed.
The Alcohol Health Alliance has previously called on Streeting for an improved alcohol strategy, after figures showed alcohol-specific deaths rose by 42% in England from 2019-2023.
“We must face facts: alcohol is a leading health polluter in the UK, affecting the quality of life and health of millions, while cutting too many lives short. Despite total consumption going down, alcohol harm is still going up,” said Alcohol Change UK CEO Dr Richard Piper.
“The status quo, including our far weaker advertising regulations compared to other countries, isn’t working. Alcohol is everywhere: from sponsorship of prime-time TV shows and sporting events, highly visible advertising as we travel to and from work or school and incessant online marketing that is almost impossible to turn off.
“Too many children and young people are exposed to alcohol advertising, especially through sports sponsorship and online. This is totally unacceptable, and the public strongly supports action to protect our children from these tactics, so they can enjoy an alcohol-free childhood as they grow and develop. Our kids should no longer be the ’collateral damage’ of alcohol marketing.
“Combined with wider measures to unlock better public health, reduce crime and strengthen our economy, we hope to see Government’s 10 Year Health Plan and Health Mission Board on Alcohol address out-of-control industry advertising. This is a real opportunity to move alcohol out of the spotlight and reduce harm for millions of people.”
Today’s news comes just days after a raft of charities and public health experts called for beer, wine and spirit packaging to carry warnings that alcohol causes cancer.
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