Does advertising make young people drink more alcohol? Lords investigate
The House of Lords Home Affairs, Health and Education EU Sub-Committee will be using this week's evidence session of its current inquiry into the future EU Alcohol Strategy to delve into the role that advertising and marketing plays in alcohol consumption levels across Europe, particularly amongst young people.
In its first session, at 10.30am, the Committee will question Guy Parker, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority. It will discuss a number of issues with him, including:
- if the EU Alcohol Strategy 2006 – 2012 had any effect on advertising regulation at either a national or European level;
- the relationship between alcohol marketing and levels of consumption;
- if self-regulation is equally suited to all forms of media;
- the actions being taken at EU level to prevent alcohol advertisements from targeting minors and young people, and how the oversight of alcohol advertising in other Member States compares with the ASA in the UK; and
- whether the EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive is as up to date as it could be.
Following on, at 11:15am, the Committee will hear from:
- Professor Theresa Marteau, Director of the Behaviour and Health Research Unit at the University of Cambridge;
- Dr Eleanor Winpenny, Analyst at RAND Europe;
- Chris Baker, Consultant; and
- John C. Duffy, Statistical Consultant.
The Committee will discuss issues including the previous EU Alcohol Strategy's aim of developing, supporting and maintaining a common evidence base, and whether this should continue to be a priority; the use of existing data collected by EU research projects; the evidence available regarding the relationship between overall levels of consumption and alcohol-related harm; the effectiveness of policies such as minimum unit pricing and labelling; and the effect of alcohol advertising on levels of consumption, particularly amongst young people.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
