Alcohol may be included in ‘less healthy food’ ad restrictions
The latest development in the ‘less healthy food and drink’ advertising restriction saga which we’ve been covering in recent months could evolve to include alcohol products.
According to “a leaked draft of the government’s upcoming NHS 10 Year Plan,” ministers are now considering bringing alcohol advertising under similar restrictions to HFSS (high-fat, -salt and -sugar) products.
The IAB has informed us that they and the AA (Advertising Association), ISBA / IPA (Incorporated Society of British Advertisers / Institute of Practitioners in Advertising), and other trade organisations have sent “an industry letter to the Prime Minister, DCMS Secretary, and Health Secretary.”
The letter outlines:
The strength of existing regulatory rules already governing alcohol advertising
The potential economic impact on the creative and hospitality sectors
The contradiction between this proposal and the government’s recent support for advertising as a “high-growth” sector in its Creative Industries Sector Plan
In bringing alcohol advertising “closer in line” with ‘less healthy food and drink’ restrictions, the government would be putting a blanket ban on online ads for alcohol products.
We’ll update this article as further details about the minutiae of the restrictions become clear.
Still got questions about the forthcoming restrictions? Visit our ‘less healthy food and drink’ information hub, and come to our events in London, Leeds, and Brighton!
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