Overview

• The Department of Health and Social Care is exploring limits on alcohol promotion before the 9pm watershed and a total ban on paid online adverts.
• Proposed measures mirror upcoming junk food ad curbs designed to protect young audiences and support broader public health goals.
• Dr Richard Piper of Alcohol Change UK says tighter advertising rules are vital to address rising alcohol-related harm despite falling overall consumption.
• Industry groups such as the Portman Group warn that broad restrictions risk penalising moderate drinkers and threatening pubs and sports sponsorships.
• Minimum unit pricing has been dropped from the ten-year health plan, which is set for publication in the coming weeks.