Rise in young people influenced by alcohol ads

Despite a fall in the number of children being exposed to alcohol advertisements on television, new research from Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Agency has shown an increase in the number of young people who find such adverts appealing.

This comes after new rules were introduced to make alcohol advertisements less appealing to the under 18s.

Commenting on this new research Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said:

“With Government figures showing that a third of 14-15 year olds are binge drinking regularly, it is extremely worrying that young people are finding alcohol advertisements more appealing than they were two years ago.

“I want to see a socially responsible industry act quickly. The ASA needs to review its advertising code and make any necessary changes to ensure that children do not find alcohol ads so attractive.”