Almost two-thirds of Britons support banning TV alcohol advertising before the watershed, according to new polling by YouGov.
Some 65% of 5,160 adults in Great Britain polled by YouGov said they either “strongly support” or “somewhat support” a ban on advertising alcohol on television before the 9pm watershed. Just one in five (20%) said they either “somewhat oppose” or “strongly oppose” the idea.
Support for a total ban on alcohol advertising online – including on social media – was less pronounced. However, a majority (52%) of those polled said they would “strongly support” or “somewhat support” such a move. Meanwhile, nearly a third (32%) opposed one.
Among women, support for an online ban was slightly stronger, with 57% in favour of the idea, compared with 47% of men.
The polling data comes after the government confirmed it was exploring “partial restrictions” in alcohol advertising as part of its new NHS 10 Year Health Plan, set to be unveiled next week.
A leak from the Department of Health & Social Care, seen by Sky News earlier this week, suggested a full ban on alcohol advertising could be introduced as part of plans to tackle alcohol-related harm. However, the government has since ruled out such a move.
“The 10 Year Health Plan will not include a ban on alcohol advertising,” a DHSC spokesperson said.
However, the government department was “exploring options for partial restrictions” to bring booze advertising regulations “closer in line with advertising of unhealthy food”, the spokesperson added.
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