MPs in fresh assault on alcohol ads

LONDON - MPs are joining forces to launch a new inquiry into the effectiveness of the existing code of conduct on alcohol advertising.

Alcohol...MPs are launching an inquiry
Alcohol...MPs are launching an inquiry

The all-party Commons Health Select Committee, which will conduct a major investigation into alcohol misuse, will question pressure groups and health experts who want a 9pm watershed and new restrictions on cinema commercials.

The move by the MPs is a setback to the ad industry, which thought it had seen off the prospect of a tougher code in December when the Government omitted further advertising curbs from its new strategy on alcohol.

Government sources said the issue of ads was still "under review".

It is understood that some ministers favour tighter restrictions to show they take seriously the problem of binge-drinking by young people.

This week, ministers dismissed calls by Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, for a minimum price for alcohol, saying it would punish the "responsible majority".

The Advertising Association will submit evidence to the committee and argue that the existing code is working.

Sue Eustace, the AA's director of public affairs, insisted the main thrust of the inquiry was about ill-health caused by alcohol misuse, consequences for the NHS and Britain's drinking culture.

"However, we will be pointing out that attempts to prove links between problem-drinking and advertising fail because those links do not exist," she said.

The AA's submission will come under the remit of Tim Lefroy, the former Young & Rubicam UK boss, who was named this week as the next chief executive of the association.

Lefroy, the current chief executive of the change management consultancy Radical Communications, succeeds Baroness Peta Buscombe.

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content