Leading British doctors "demanded a ban to prevent alcohol companies from sponsoring sports clubs and events, claiming it encourages underage drinking," according to PRESS TV. They urged U.K. ministers and lawmakers "to ban multimillion-pound deals, which call for players to wear shirts with drinking brands printed on them." A statement said, “Importantly, evidence shows that exposure to alcohol advertising leads young people to drink more and to drink at an earlier age." The doctors also complained that self-regulation of alcohol advertising was not working "when it allows drink brands to dominate sporting events that attract children and adults,” and creates unconscious associations between sports and alcohol brands. Meanwhile, the U.K. government said that "it is content with the alcohol sponsorship Code of Portman, saying it has promoted responsible alcohol sponsorship agreements in the country." France, Russia, Ukraine, and Norway "have already imposed such bans, while Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Republic of Ireland are considering such moves" (PRESS TV, 12/26).
