The United Kingdom calls for a ban on alcohol advertising

Doctors in the United Kingdom are calling for a ban on all alcohol advertising according to the BBC. This includes sport and music sponsorships. The reason for the ban is to put the brakes on the rising rates of consumption in the country.

What will advertisers do with all that extra money? After all, in the UK, the alcohol industry spends over 800 million pounds per year on promoting their wares.

The problem in the UK, as well as across the world, is the rising cost of medical expenses related to treating those with alcohol related disease. According to the BBC, the cost to the NHS for treating alcohol related illnesses is estimated to be around 3 billion pounds in the UK alone. In the country, alcohol related illnesses is the third most dangerous disease, only smoking and high blood pressure are greater.

Of course, they are having the same problem that we have been having for years. There is a focus on marketing to younger people and that has to be stopped.

They are also trying to target the price of alcohol. If it is more expensive, there is a lesser chance that everyone would be able to afford it. Much like cigarettes are being taxed in the United States now, if alcohol is being taxed higher in the UK perhaps less people would be willing to drink so freely.

I honestly believe that there are some members of the population that will partake whenever they want if they want. The problem with trying to get younger people to stop is that it’s just so much of the culture, that you have to change the culture to get them to stop, or slow down. Look at college fraternity parties; when you see them portrayed on TV they have kegs of beer and there seems to be an unlimited supply of alcohol. In real life, it’s not much different; however, I’ve never seen anyone throw a mattress out a window.

It has to be taken a bit further than just limiting advertising in my opinion.

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