Children exposed to TV alcohol ads

Published: 23 July, 2008

Alcohol Concern calls for watershed on TV alcohol ads.

Alcohol Concern said alcohol commercials have increased dramatically between 3pm to 5pm when most children are home from school.

It has refreshed its call for the UK Government to impose a pre-9pm watershed ban to keep children safe.

The charity, in its recent survey, monitored advertising for a week in 2006 and a week this year. It cited examples of a Morrisons advert promoting Grolsch during The Simpsons.

The advertising code, tightened in 2005, banned alcohol advertising on programmes where children make up 20% of the viewers.

Alcohol concern chief executive Srabani Sen said: "A watershed ban is the only way to give parents the peace of mind of knowing that their children can be kept safe from the influence of advertising.

But David Poley, Portman Group Chief Executive, said: "The advertising rules, which were toughened two years ago, ban adverts from targeting or appealing to under-18s.

"Shielding this age group from any images of alcohol is not helping them grow up with sensible and balanced attitudes to drinking."

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