ABA dismisses calls for alcohol advertising ban
Source: TheShout
By Andy Young
11/01/2017
Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) has said that new calls for a blanket ban on alcohol advertising and marketing are not based on fact, adding that they also ignore government statistics that show underage drinking is declining.
The calls came after a report, commissioned by Alcohol Research UK and the Institute of Alcohol Studies, was published in the science journal Addiction. The report claims that around the world, young people are subject to extensive alcohol marketing and went on to call for a global ban on alcohol advertising and marketing, an end to self-regulation and more government intervention.
The ABA’s Executive Director, Fergus Taylor, said that the latest government data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that fewer people aged 12-17 years old are drinking alcohol and the proportion in this age group abstaining from alcohol has risen significantly.
“Anti-alcohol activists have been trying for years to blame alcohol advertising as the cause of underage drinking, but the inconvenient truth for them is this claim is simply not supported by official data,” Taylor said.
“The suggestion current controls in place are ineffective and that further regulation is needed in Australia to curb underage drinking are wrong. Current regulations to protect children are highly effective, and there is compelling data to support this.
“Underage drinking is in steady decline across the country and has been for some time. The fact that this decline has occurred during a period of increased alcohol advertising is a clear indication that regulations in place work, and work well.”
In Australia alcohol advertising and marketing is independently regulated by the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code, with further federal and state legislation plus the Australian Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics and the Outdoor Media Association Code of Ethics.
Taylor added: “State and territories’ liquor licensing authorities also have the capacity to ban alcohol products if they breach a range of conditions, including inappropriate marketing or appeal to children.
“Through initiatives such as DrinkWise, the industry is targeting the established causes of underage drinking – parental behaviour and peer group influence – through advertising campaigns telling parents how they drink is influencing their children’s attitudes to drinking.
“Without question, continuing downward trends in underage drinking is an important national responsibility, requiring a combination of education and strict enforcement on underage sales, and the alcohol industry is committed to ensuring this continues to occur.”