Alcohol and Advertising

The ASA (Advertising Standards Agency) and Ofcom are two independent bodies that enforce a certain level of control to advertising in the UK, through government backing to police advertising and make sure the laws are being followed by advertising agencies. There is also CAP (Committee of Advertising Practice) which watches non-broadcast advertisement which has it's own set of codes and CAP which also covers broadcast advertising.

This is the Cap Code which is on the ASA website, i feel this is the most valuable bit of information regarding Alcohol in Advertisement.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

56.1 For the purposes of the Code, alcoholic drinks are those that exceed 1.2% alcohol by volume.

56.2 Marketing communications must contain nothing that is likely to lead people to adopt styles of drinking that are unwise. Alcohol must not be handled or served irresponsibly. The consumption of alcohol may be portrayed as sociable and thirst-quenching. Marketing communications may be humorous but must nevertheless conform with the intention of the rules.

56.3

a) As is implied by clause 2.8, the spirit as well as the letter of the rules in this section apply whether or not a product is shown or referred to or seen being consumed.

b) The rules are not intended to inhibit advertising on alcohol-related health or safety themes that is responsible and is not likely to promote a brand of alcohol.

56.4 Marketing communications should be socially responsible and should neither encourage excessive drinking nor suggest that drinking can overcome boredom, loneliness or other problems. They should not suggest that alcohol might be indispensable. Care should be taken not to exploit the young, the immature or those who are mentally or socially vulnerable.

56.5 Marketing communications should not be directed at people under 18 through the selection of media, style of presentation, content or context in which they appear. No medium should be used to advertise alcoholic drinks if more than 25% of its audience is under 18 years of age.

56.6 People shown drinking or playing a significant role should neither be nor look under 25 and should not be shown behaving in an adolescent or juvenile way. Younger people may be shown in marketing communications, for example in the context of family celebrations, but should be obviously not drinking.

56.7 Marketing communications should not be associated with people under 18 or reflect their culture. They should not feature or portray real or fictitious characters who are likely to appeal particularly to people under 18 in a way that might encourage them to drink.

56.8 Marketing communications should not suggest that any alcoholic drink has therapeutic qualities (for example, stimulant or sedative qualities) or can change moods or enhance confidence, mental or physical capabilities or performance, popularity or sporting achievements. They should not link alcoholic drinks to illicit drugs.

56.9 Marketing communications must neither link alcohol with seduction, sexual activity or sexual success nor imply that alcohol can enhance attractiveness, masculinity or femininity.

56.10 Marketing communications may give factual information about:

a) product contents, including comparisons, but must not make any health claims, which include fitness or weight control claims. The only permitted nutrition claims are “low alcohol”, “reduced alcohol” and “reduced energy”.

b) the alcoholic strength of a drink or make factual strength comparisons with other products but must not otherwise suggest that a drink may be preferred because of it's high alcohol content or intoxicating effect. Drinks may be presented as preferable because of low or lower strength.

56.11 Marketing communications should not suggest that drinking alcohol is a reason for the success of any personal relationship or social event. A brand preference may be promoted as a mark of, for example, the drinker’s good taste and discernment.

56.12 Drinking alcohol should not be portrayed as a challenge, especially to the young. Marketing communications should neither show, imply or refer to aggression or unruly, irresponsible or anti-social behaviour nor link alcohol with brave, tough or daring people or behaviour.

56.13 Particular care should be taken to ensure that marketing communications for sales promotions requiring multiple purchases do not encourage excessive consumption.

56.14 Marketing communications should not depict activities or locations in which drinking alcohol would be unsafe or unwise. In particular, marketing communications should not associate the consumption of alcohol with an occupation that requires concentration to be done safely, for example, operating machinery, driving or activity relating to water or heights. Alcohol should not normally be shown in a work environment.

56.15 Low alcohol drinks Low alcohol drinks are those that contain between 0.5% - 1.2% alcohol by volume. Marketers should ensure that low alcohol drinks are not promoted in a way that encourages their inappropriate consumption and should not depict activities that require complete sobriety.