Tougher rules on alcohol ads needed, say MPs

Tougher rules on alcohol ads needed, say MPsMPs have said that tougher rules against alcohol advertising and possibility a ban on alcohol companies form sponsoring sporting and cultural events are required to reduce the number of alcohol-related deaths.

The Commons health select committee believes that the industry is not doing enough to address the drinking problem. MPS asked the companies to take steps to tackle the damage caused by their products. They believe that there is a need to reduce the "insidious and pervasive" health effects from alcohol consumption.

The cross-party group of MPs recommended that the present ban on advertising on television must be expanded to cinemas, to stop advertisements form encouraging under-18 year olds to begin drinking. It is recommended that there should be a reduction in proportion of a film's audience that can be under-18 to 10 per cent and still allow alcohol advertising or banning it altogether except for films that has an 18 certificate.

The MPs said that the industry needs to do more and criticized the spokesperson from the industry who state that advertising does not have any affect drinking habits of the people. “It is important that the alcohol industry ensures that its advertisements comply in all respects with the principles of corporate social responsibility”, they say.