Last Friday the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, signed off on proposed amendments to Finland’s alcohol advertising legislation. Interestingly, one of the new laws to go into effect in 2015 is an unprecedented ban on alcohol branded social media communication. Starting in 2015, existing regulations (ia prohibition of advertisements for strong alcoholic beverages in public … Read More →
The website of the US’ National Public Radio (NPR) recently reported on an upcoming trend in high-end bars and restaurants: alcoholic beverages mixed with tobacco for an extra spicy flavour and a ‘nicotine buzz.’ NPR spoke to the owner of Los Angeles based ‘gastropub’ Father’s Office, which has sweetened one of their cocktails with ‘a … Read More →
The UK government has announced plans to ban the sale of alcohol at below cost (duty plus VAT) in England and Wales. The new regulation goes into effect next April, despite concerns from health experts that this new policy is relatively ineffective. As was shown by the University of Sheffield last summer, the ban on … Read More →
Applying a method adopted from a court in the US to identify underage targeting of advertising, researchers from CAMY (the Centre of Alcohol Marketing and Youth) and Virtual Media Resources (VMR) have found evidence of targeting of alcohol advertising to underage viewers ages 18–20. This evidence was found when the researchers were looking for reasons … Read More →
The proposed, and approved by cabinet, plans for a ban on alcohol advertising in South Africa have been put on hold again. The ban is now pending an independent regulatory impact assessment (RIA) commissioned by the South African Department of Health. In late November the Department of Health asked proposals for a regulatory impact, service … Read More →
A British TV ad, by AB InBev, Carlsberg UK, Heineken UK, Miller Brands and Molson Coors, has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for suggesting drinking alcohol makes people more popular. The “Let there be beer” advert cuts between three scenes around a barbeque gone wrong, a stressed office worker and a young … Read More →
The Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) has published an analysis of submissions to the Home Office consultation on minimum pricing that indicates public support for the policy was greater than previously thought. In its own analysis, the Home Office stated that the majority of respondents opposed the proposal to introduce a 45p minimum price per … Read More →
A recent American study found that four brands of alcohol accounted for more than half of the brands named in popular song lyrics. The researchers suggest their finding are no coincidence, but are likely the result of sponsorship deals. The research conducted by the School of Public Health and the Bloomberg School of Public Health … Read More →
Earlier this month the Finnish Parliamentary Social Affairs and Health Committee issued a report to prohibit advertising of mild alcoholic beverages in public places in Finland. Parliament spokesperson said, the aim is to reduce the situations where children and youth are exposed to alcohol advertising, reports Finnbay. The Committee proposed that the alcohol advertising should … Read More →
In a press release four European public health NGOs announce to step out of the European Alcohol and Health Forum, a European Commission body formed to address and reduce alcohol-related harm. In this Forum both economic stakeholders and public health organizations are participating. Reason for leaving […]