UK doctors lobby for alcohol ban

Doctors in the United Kingdom are lobbying for a ban on all alcohol advertising, including sports and music sponsorship.



The British Medical Association says the crackdown on marketing is needed, along with an end to cut-price deals in order to stop rising rates of consumption.



According to BBC reports, the industry spends 800 million pounds a year on promoting drinks - just a quarter of which goes to direct advertising.



Doctors say action is needed, as alcohol is now one of the leading causes of early death and disability.



Meanwhile, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Jeremy Beadles, says the measures proposed by the doctors wont curb alcohol misuse.



He says the drinks industry is already funding a major campaign to change drinking patterns among young adults.



He says culture change is more likely to be achieved through long term education and tough enforcement.