Australian Senator Calls For Ban Of Alcohol Ads During Sports Broadcasts

An Australian Greens senator "pushing for gambling advertising to be banned" in the Australian Football League, also "wants the promotion of alcohol to be outlawed in sports broadcasts," according to Adam Cooper of THE AGE. Greens spokesperson Richard Di Natale said that "a loophole in broadcasting laws meant alcohol could be advertised during televised sport even though children formed a significant share of viewers." He wants a "complete ban on betting agencies advertising during telecast sport, and on Thursday called for a similar ban on alcohol commercials." He said alcohol was a ''much, much bigger problem than illicit drug use in the community.'' Di Natale said, ''I would like to see the AFL sever its relationship with the alcohol industry. The AFL has done some great things in regard to indigenous issues and women's issues, but it's got a real blind spot when it comes to alcohol'' (THE AGE, 3/8).