The Alcohol Advertising Review Board (AARB) considers and reviews complaints from the Australian community about alcohol advertising. The AARB was developed by the Alcohol Programs Team at the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA (formerly known as the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth) and Cancer Council Western Australia, supported by other health organisations, in response to the numerous weaknesses of the current self-regulatory alcohol advertising system.
In its seven years of operation, the AARB received a substantial number of complaints related to the placement of alcohol marketing, comprising around two-thirds of all complaints. This report highlights the extent of community concern around the placement of alcohol marketing, and calls on Australian governments to introduce stronger restrictions to better protect children and young people from exposure to alcohol marketing.
Young people in Australia are regularly exposed to alcohol marketing through a wide range of media, including on television, outdoors, public transport, radio, online, and at sporting and music events. There is clear evidence that alcohol marketing impacts on young people. Exposure to alcohol advertising influences young people’s beliefs and attitudes about drinking, and increases the likelihood that adolescents will start to use alcohol and will drink more if they are already using alcohol. Expert health organisations recommend introducing comprehensive restrictions on alcohol marketing, including its placement, to reduce children and young people’s exposure.