Doctors' leaders want tough action to limit the sale and promotion of alcohol, including cigarette-style graphic warnings and an end to drinks firms sponsoring sport, to tackle the growing toll of drink-related problems.
The alliance of 70 medical bodies and health charities is demanding that:
• A third of the label on all cans and bottles of alcohol should be given over to a hard-hitting warning about the health dangers of over-consumption
• A ban on all alcohol advertising and sponsorship. That would stop alcohol manufacturers paying millions to have their name on teams' shirts or in the title of a competition – such as Budweiser, which sponsors the FA Cup in England
Anybody?
No?
Oh, and there's more...
• Drink sales in shops and supermarkets should be restricted to certain times, and alcohol products sold only in designated areas, to reduce "pre-loading" – in which people drinking cheaper shop-bought alcohol before going out
• A hike in the price of high-strength products, such as certain wines, to discourage consumption
• Local councils do more to stop the proliferation of premises selling alcohol in certain areas
• The drink-drive limit should fall to 50mg per 100ml of blood – amounting to no more than a single pint of beer
The campaign has kicked off with an editorial in the British Medical Journal co-authored by the far-left anti-marketing zealot Gerard Hastings who we have seen around these parts before.
We tried to warn you that this would happen. Enjoy your smokefree pubs, suckers!
