Asked by: Peter Dowd (Labour - Bootle)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the (a) level of children’s exposure to alcohol marketing and (b) impact of that exposure on children.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Government does not currently have plans for a comprehensive assessment of the level of children’s exposure to alcohol advertising or its impact. However, the government recognises that there is some evidence that exposure to alcohol marketing can increase the risk that children will start to drink alcohol or, if they already drink, that it can increase the risk that they will consume greater quantities of alcohol. We will continue to assess any emerging evidence in a proportionate, measured way.
Additionally, there are measures in place to protect children and young people from alcohol advertisements. Material in the Committee of Advertising Practice and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice Codes (CAP and BCAP codes) relating to the advertising and marketing of alcohol products is exceptionally robust, to ensure that alcohol advertising is responsible and that children and young people are suitably protected. If new evidence emerges that highlights major problems with the existing Codes, then the Advertising Standards Authority should revisit the Codes and take appropriate action.