Local England: Law makers are calling for a watershed on alcohol TV ads to protect kids
Law makers across Greater Manchester are calling for alcohol adverts on TV to be banned before 9pm as alcohol-related hospital admissions soar. Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.8 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom.
The public health campaign has been started in the light of soaring hospital admissions for alcohol-related illnesses and emergencies.
Labour party councillors across the region are calling for town halls to back their demands for the watershed to protect children and youth. Law makers are arguing that children and youth are being ‘bombarded’ with alcohol ads.
A motion backing the campaign was passed at Stockport council this week – and another in Trafford, tabled by Labour, will be discussed next week.
Alcohol harm in the region
There were nearly 67,000 alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2015/16 across Greater Manchester, putting huge pressure on the health care system as well as public finances.
Evidence shows that youth exposure to alcohol marketing increases the likelihood of adolescents to start consuming alcohol earlier and consume more alcohol if they are already initiated.
There are serious concerns impressionable kids and youth are being increasingly influenced to start using alcohol by an aggressive alcohol industry, with thousands of people admitted to hospital each year for alcohol-related illnesses and emergencies.
Massive support for policy measure
A recent Healthier Futures/Alcohol Health Alliance public opinion survey claimed around 73% of people Greater Manchester would support a 9pm watershed for alcohol adverts on TV.
Council leaders want the region’s councils to write to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Karen Bradley, asking her to bring forward legislation to introduce the watershed.
