Calls to protect children from alcohol ads

The government should introduce new legislation to protect children from alcohol advertising, an MP has said.

Conservative backbencher Dr Sarah Wollaston, who is a GP, is introducing a private member's bill on the issue.

Dr Wollaston believes the government should modify existing French laws that only allow alcohol advertising in media aimed at adults and ensure the promotional messages are factual.

The laws were introduced in France in 1991 and are designed to shield children from being exposed to alcohol marketing.

France has succeeded in reducing alcohol consumption since 1960, whereas the UK now has one of the highest levels of binge-drinking and drunkenness among schoolchildren in Europe.

Leading medics voiced their support for the private member's bill.

Dr Ram Moorthy, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's (BMA) board of science, said: "Alcohol misuse leads to serious ill-health, premature death and is linked to violence and antisocial behaviour. It also costs the NHS millions of pounds every year."