Key Summary
- Alcohol ad ban under review in NHS 10-year plan.
- Minimum unit pricing ruled out.
- Streeting pledges to steer the NHS away from a reactive model
A potential ban on alcohol advertising is being considered as part of a wider set of public health measures within the government’s ten-year plan for the NHS, stated recent reports.
The move, if implemented, would mark a significant shift in the UK’s approach to alcohol regulation, particularly as ministers have so far resisted introducing minimum unit pricing, a policy long backed by public health advocates.
The Department of Health and Social Care is understood to be focusing on advertising restrictions, with proposals expected as early as next week.
A draft version of the document, seen by Sky News, implies that a total or partial ban on adverts for alcohol has been considered.
Minimum alcohol pricing was also considered but was removed in later drafts after resistance from parts of the government. The Times was told that an advertising ban remains though a final decision had not been made and the proposal could still be removed.
Newly appointed Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to steer the NHS away from a reactive model and towards prevention-focused care.
As part of his broader reform agenda, Streeting reiterated his commitment to maximising the £30 billion boost allocated to the health department in the latest spending review, with prevention emerging as a central pillar.
A spokesperson for Portman Group, which represents the alcohol industry, said in a statement: “The vast majority of people drink within the chief medical officer’s weekly guidelines. As such, we’re not in favour of broad, sweeping measures that impact that moderate majority whilst ignoring the needs of those who drink at the most harmful levels.
“We are deeply concerned by the figures that tell us that 3% of the UK population drink 30% of total alcohol consumed and so we support the use of targeted measures to manage the complex, often interrelated issues resulting in harmful consumption.
“The industry already takes responsible marketing very seriously and we look forward to engaging if there are future consultations around this to ensure we can continue to protect consumers.”
Current rules ban suggestions that an alcohol drink enhances confidence or abilities, or incitement to “unwise” behaviour.
