This report brings together the latest evidence on alcohol marketing in the UK.
- Alcohol marketing directly influences alcohol consumption. It normalises alcohol and helps create a culture where alcohol is seen as an ‘essential’ part of everyday life. Alcohol marketing is persistent everywhere: on the streets, on public transport, in the press and magazines, online and event sponsorships to name a few.
- The current self-regulatory codes of alcohol marketing are clearly not effective. The report produces two key recommendations:
- Alcohol should be included in the restrictions proposed for ‘unhealthy food and drink’ in the Health and Care Bill, including a 9pm watershed on TV and on-demand services, as well as a complete online ban.
- In the longer term, more comprehensive restrictions should be introduced to limit exposure to alcohol marketing, in line with WHO recommendations.