Rebecca Searle1, Daisy Alston1, David P French2. 1. School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK School of Medicine, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK. 2. School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK david.french@manchester.ac.uk.
Abstract
AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which members of the UK general public perceive television alcohol advertisements to comply with the regulatory code governing these: the Advertising Standards Authority Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP Code). The Code provides a general principle and 16 rules to prevent such adverts implying, condoning or encouraging immoderate, irresponsible or anti-social drinking. METHODS: Quota sample of 373 adults, representative of the UK population aged 18-74 years in terms of age and gender, were recruited at a train station. Participants were shown one of seven advertisements that had been broadcast in the previous month on the two leading commercial television channels, and then completed a questionnaire with 40 statements representing the BCAP Code rules. RESULTS: Overall, 75% of the participants rated the advertisements as breaching at least one rule from the BCAP Code. Breaches were observed for all the seven advertisements, ranging from 49 to 91% non-compliant. Rules regarding alcohol being presented as contributing to popularity or confidence, and implying that alcohol is capable of changing mood, physical condition, behaviour, or as nourishment, were seen as being breached by over 50% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: A clear majority of the UK general public perceive alcohol advertisements to breach the BCAP Code, suggesting that the current regulatory system for UK television alcohol advertisements is inadequate.
AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the extent to which members of the UK general public perceive television alcohol advertisements to comply with the regulatory code governing these: the Advertising Standards Authority Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP Code). The Code provides a general principle and 16 rules to prevent such adverts implying, condoning or encouraging immoderate, irresponsible or anti-social drinking. METHODS: Quota sample of 373 adults, representative of the UK population aged 18-74 years in terms of age and gender, were recruited at a train station. Participants were shown one of seven advertisements that had been broadcast in the previous month on the two leading commercial television channels, and then completed a questionnaire with 40 statements representing the BCAP Code rules. RESULTS: Overall, 75% of the participants rated the advertisements as breaching at least one rule from the BCAP Code. Breaches were observed for all the seven advertisements, ranging from 49 to 91% non-compliant. Rules regarding alcohol being presented as contributing to popularity or confidence, and implying that alcohol is capable of changing mood, physical condition, behaviour, or as nourishment, were seen as being breached by over 50% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: A clear majority of the UK general public perceive alcohol advertisements to breach the BCAP Code, suggesting that the current regulatory system for UK television alcohol advertisements is inadequate.
Authors: Matthis Morgenstern; Franziska Schoeppe; Julie Campbell; Marloes W G Braam; Michael Stoolmiller; James D Sargent Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2015-07-24 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Kimberley Dunstone; Emily Brennan; Michael D Slater; Helen G Dixon; Sarah J Durkin; Simone Pettigrew; Melanie A Wakefield Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-04-11 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Nathan Critchlow; Jessica Newberry Le Vay; Anne Marie MacKintosh; Lucie Hooper; Christopher Thomas; Jyotsna Vohra Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-03-05 Impact factor: 3.390