Overview

This Alcohol Marketing Bill aims to decrease children's exposure to alcohol advertising and regulate the content of alcohol marketing in England and Wales. It introduces restrictions on various forms of alcohol promotion, including print, online, and broadcast media, while allowing for some exceptions under specific conditions.

Description

The bill defines "alcohol marketing" broadly, encompassing any activity promoting alcohol products, and "alcohol product" as anything containing over 1.2% alcohol by volume intended for ingestion. It prohibits most alcohol marketing unless specific exclusions apply.

Exclusions

Exceptions include advertisements in print media with over 90% adult readership, cinema ads shown with 18-certificate films, point-of-sale marketing in licensed premises, marketing at adult-only local producer events (defined by regulations), and radio ads broadcast between 9 pm and 6 am. All permitted marketing must include responsible drinking messages and only factual product information.

Further Regulations

The Secretary of State can create regulations to define terms like "local" and to specify requirements for online and physical point-of-sale displays. The bill also addresses free product distribution, sponsorship, and brand sharing, prohibiting them except under specific circumstances, as determined by the Secretary of State via further regulation.

Defences

The bill outlines defenses against charges, including lack of knowledge or reasonable foreseeability of the marketing's purpose or effect.

Enforcement and Penalties

The Secretary of State will establish enforcement regulations within six months, including entry powers. Penalties range from six months imprisonment and/or unlimited fines on summary conviction to two years imprisonment and/or unlimited fines on indictment. Corporate bodies and their officers can also be held liable.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. However, costs will likely arise from the creation and enforcement of new regulations and potential legal challenges.

Groups Affected

• Alcohol producers and sellers: Significant restrictions on marketing activities, potentially impacting sales.
• Advertising agencies: Changes in permissible advertising practices.
• Media outlets (newspapers, magazines, broadcasters): Restrictions on carrying alcohol advertising.
• Children and young people: Reduced exposure to alcohol marketing.
• Government agencies: Responsibility for regulation and enforcement.

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