Date published: 26 November 2009

Please note that the question below will be answered at the next plenary session.

Last spring, a report was presented by the Science Group at the request of the Alcohol and Health Forum entitled 'The impact of marketing communication on the volume and patterns of consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially by young people'.

The report reveals that twelve of thirteen studies examined show that alcohol advertising affects the point at which young people start drinking alcohol and persuades those who already drink to increase their consumption. The studies also show that there is a direct link between how much advertising young people are exposed to and how much they increase their consumption. Moreover, a report produced by the Commission shows that self-regulation on alcohol advertising, as advocated by the alcohol industry, does not produce particularly good results. Strict regulations are more effective.

The rules already in existence stipulating that alcohol advertising must not be aimed directly at young people are, in practice, ineffective. A total ban on alcohol advertising is the best way of reducing drinking among young people, as also shown by a study published in the scientific journal 'The Lancet'.

In the light of the above, would the Commission consider banning alcohol advertising, in the same way as tobacco advertising, on health grounds?