Youth workers criticise alcohol advertising code

Youth workers are today criticising the alcohol industry's voluntary advertising code, saying it is too weak and is not being fully adhered to.

The criticism follows a report by the Alcohol Marketing Communications Body, which has identified a number of breaches of the code.

The complaints include cinema advertising, screening of ads in the morning and insufficient information on advertisements.

Youth Work Ireland says the code is too liberal and allows ads to be aired at inappropriate times when young people are tuned in.

It wants the Government to honour its promise to legislate in the area if the industry's voluntary approach failed to work.