The Week: Govt rejects proposed 9pm watershed for alcohol ads

by Our Parliamentary correspondent, Campaign 31-Aug-07

The Government has ruled out introducing a 9pm watershed for alcohol ads on television following calls from Alcohol Concern and MPs.

This week, the pressure group warned children were being exposed to ads
during programmes such as The Simpsons and The X-Factor. It said the
current rule that ads could not be shown during programmes where

children make up 20 per cent of viewers left parents unable to predict

when they might appear.

The Department of Health said an independent review would consider the
relationship between alcohol price, promotion, including all forms of
advertising, and harm. Crucially, it added: "The review will not be
considering the effectiveness and enforcement of the Advertising
Standards Authority's code, which is being reviewed by the ASA
separately."

But the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice said it was not
considering a change to its alcohol codes.