Report says alcohol advertising code is failing

Source: Reuters UK
21 January 2010

Britain's system of self regulation on alcohol advertising is failing and companies are "pushing the boundaries" of codes of practice to lure in young drinkers, social marketing experts said Thursday.
A study analysing internal marketing documents from four alcohol producers and their communications agencies found many of them contravened the codes of practice designed to stop them from appealing to under-18s or encouraging excessive drinking.

Researchers from Stirling University's institute of social marketing, found the drinks manufacturers -- Beverage Brands, Diageo, Molson Coors and Halewood International -- use market research data on 15 and 16 year olds guide marketing campaigns and many documents refer to the need to recruit new drinkers and establish brand loyalty.


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Binge drink promotions to be banned

Source: Times Online
20 January 2010

Pub and club promotions that encourage binge drinking will be banned within months in a government retreat from its policy of liberalising licensing laws. Licensees face fines of up to £20,000 or up to six months in jail for offers such as “All you can drink for £10” or “Free drinks for women under 25”.
Today’s announcement of a tougher code of practice is an admission that reforms allowing 24-hour drinking have failed to produce what the former minister Hazel Blears described as a “continental café-bar culture”. Instead, ministers have acted amid rising public concern at the extent of public drunkenness and alcohol-fuelled disorder on the streets. Labour’s private polling has revealed that the issue is an increasing worry for voters.

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