Call to cut children’s exposure to alcohol

Children are exposed to unacceptably high levels of alcohol marketing through sports sponsorship and public adverts, according to a report.

Alcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) said there is “clear evidence” exposure to alcohol marketing leads children to start drinking at a younger age and they want the Scottish Government to take action on advertising.

The group is calling for a ban on alcohol adverts in streets, sports grounds and public transport, alcohol sponsorship of sport, music and cultural events and restrictions on adverts in newspapers and on social media.

AFS is also pressing the UK Government to restrict TV alcohol advertising between 6am and 11pm, and cinema advertising to 18-certificate films.

The Scottish Government wants to introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol but the move has been delayed by a legal challenge.

Organisations including Children 1st, the Scottish Cancer Prevention Network and the medical royal colleges are supporting the AFS campaign.

The report also recommended an independent taskforce outside the industry is set up.

Professor Gerard Hastings, part of the expert group, said: “Scotland now has a chance to grasp this nettle and show how independent statutory regulation of marketing can provide our young people the protection they deserve.”

AFS chief executive Alison Douglas said: “The extent of the actions we take now are a good measure of the value we place on our children for the future.”