Government Ducks Its Responsibilities

Media Release

29 October 2007

Re ALCOHOL ADVERTISING PROPOSALS

Government Ducks Its Responsibilities To Children And Families

“The recent Government proposals on alcohol advertising and the sale and supply to minors won’t bring joy to parents, but the liquor industry will find business as usual,” said Dr Viola Palmer, Chairperson of the Group Against Liquor Advertising. While parents get the blame for supplying alcohol to their children, the reasons why kids pester for it are not considered.

The proposed changes to alcohol advertising regulations will make no difference to teenage binge drinking. Bringing all types of promotion under the regulations is just an extension of the present system which is not working. The liquor and advertising industries will still be running rings around Government regulations. More effective strategies would be a ban on alcohol advertising and a phasing out of sponsorship, as for tobacco. All types of promotions encourage drinking and youth drinking has increased markedly since alcohol advertising on TV was de-regulated.

The marketing and sale of ‘alcopops’ or RTDs is ignored in the proposals. These drinks which are the favourites of young drinkers, especially females carry an alcohol content of 5% to 9%. Their sweet taste, colourful packaging and attractive names appeal to the young. Their alcohol content is gradually being ratcheted up as young drinkers get hooked on them. They are often used as loss-leaders at $1 per can or bottle, cheaper than soft drinks. RTDs are the fastest growing section of the alcohol market.

Those who wish to see a reduction in the major social problem of excessive drinking still have a small ray of hope. The two private member’s bills to restrict alcohol advertising introduced by Martin Gallagher and the Green Party are to be debated in Parliament.

ENDS

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