Ban on alcohol ads wanted

ALCOHOL advertising is having a “damaging impact” on young people and should be restricted, a children’s group warned yesterday.

“We want an enforced ban on alcohol advertising aimed at youth audiences,” said Owen Keenan, director of children’s charity Barnardos. “We want to challenge everyone, including the Government, to combat the damaging effect alcohol is having on our society.”

Barnodos’ supports Health Minister Micheál Martin’s plans to introduce tough laws to stop drinks companies from marketing alcohol to young people. The minister also wants to ban below-cost selling of alcohol and to stop drinks companies from sponsoring events aimed at young people.