Balance welcomes the introduction of a broadcasting ban on daytime alcohol advertising in Ireland
North East Alcohol Programme, Balance, has welcome the official introduction of a watershed broadcasting ban on daytime alcohol advertising in Ireland, with no advertisements for alcohol products on television from 3am to 9pm, and on radio on weekdays from 3pm to 10am the following morning. No such regulations currently exist in England.
Sue Taylor, Head of Alcohol Policy for Balance, said: “Alcohol advertising is hard to escape from – it is all around us. We know alcohol advertising has a particular impact on young people and dependent drinkers, encouraging them to drink at earlier ages and in greater quantities. We are heartened to see the introduction of curbs on alcohol advertising in Ireland, with similar measures long overdue in England.
Here in the North East we suffer disproportionately from alcohol harms, with the highest rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths. For people struggling with alcohol dependency, being surrounded by advertising can make it very hard to cope.
The evidence base from other countries is strong – as we’ve seen in Scotland and now in Ireland, reducing the affordability, availability and promotion of alcohol can be hugely effective when it comes to reducing alcohol harms. Alcohol is no ordinary commodity and we are calling on the English Government to act now and develop a comprehensive national alcohol strategy to mitigate the tragic impact that alcohol has on communities and families across this region and beyond.”
Karen Slater, 55, is a Newcastle mum of four. She was a victim of child abuse and domestic violence, who sought solace in alcohol, drugs and self-harm and is a strong advocate for greater regulation of alcohol advertising in England.
Karen said: “It is great to see that the Irish Government is taking a stance on alcohol advertising. It is not right that people are constantly bombarded by alcohol adverts and you can’t move around a supermarket for piles and piles of alcohol.
“Alcohol advertising is insidious. It looks really glamorous with the pink drinks and ice looking like diamonds. But there are millions of people trying to battle alcohol and the alcohol industry is literally allowed to push alcohol into our homes through aggressive marketing. For people with addiction that is dangerous. As soon as you’ve seen an advert you think about it. For someone having a bad day or a bad moment that can trigger a relapse. I remember one advert for pink gin – I went to bed thinking about it and woke up the next day still thinking about it. I thought “if I could just turn this pain off for one night and then go back into recovery.” Within minutes I was at the shop, and there was my relapse.”
“People who are alcohol dependent live lives constantly like this. The adverts never show that struggle. My home is my haven. I’m in recovery and alcohol ads shouldn’t be allowed in my home when I never gave permission.”