Ban on TV and radio ads for alcohol before 9pm could be in place by next year

Under the legislation, advertisements would only be able to feature very specific features of the product, such as references to the product itself, where it is from, how it is produced, and 'an objective description of [its] flavour, colour, and smell'. Library Picture.

A ban on alcohol adverts on TV before a 9pm watershed could take effect before the end of next year, the Department of Health has said.

Regulations for strict limits on what can and cannot be featured in alcohol advertisements are also currently being developed by the office of the Attorney General. These limits, however, could take some time as they must be submitted to Europe for assessment and come with a three-year lead-in time.