Tighter controls on alcohol rejected
The government have rejected calls for tighter controls on alcohol advertising and sponsorship. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs said, “tougher methods to teach children about alcohol and tobacco are needed”. However, Schools Minister Lord Adonis said the government was focusing on existing policies to combat a consumption rise.
Raising duty on alcohol, increasing the legal smoking age from 16 to 17, banning alcohol adverts on TV and prohibiting alcohol firms from sponsoring sports or music events watched by under 18’s were ideas raised by the report, Apparently 15 year olds in Britain are among the heaviest users of alcohol, cannabis and tobacco in Europe:
“Between a fifth and a quarter of 15-year-olds are regular smokers, half drink alcohol at least once a week and nearly a quarter have used illegal drugs in the past month”, the panel said.