BMA Scotland Supports Measure to Ban Alcohol Ads at Sporting Events

The British Medical Association in Scotland (BMA Scotland) has reportedly
backed legislation under consideration by the Scottish Parliament’s
Health and Sport Committee that seeks to ban alcohol advertising at
all events geared toward children younger than age 18. According to
media reports, the proposed measure would also prohibit the marketing
of alcoholic beverages near schools in addition to limiting ads on retail
premises.

“The alcohol industry’s sponsorship of entertainment or sporting
events can see children become walking billboards for alcohol products,
exposing them to alcohol brands while they are at an impressionable
age,” BMA Scotland Peter Bennie told reporters. “It should not be acceptable
for the alcohol industry to sponsor and brand events that are aimed
at under-18s and MSPs should use this opportunity to take action on
alcohol advertising.” See BBC News, June 4, 2015.

Issue 567