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Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:26 GMT 13:26 UK

Maybe we should have more realistic adverts of what the after effects of alcohol are. The vomit, A&E on Friday and Sat night.The alcohol fuelled violence.Young women and men collapsed in the street. The effect of cirrhosis of the liver (not a nice disease). Nobody is against anyone having a drink but we are now seeing the results of excess alcohol on our society.I work in a hospital and I see the results of this and the effect on the family on a daily basis and we need to do something.

Mary, shropshire

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:26 GMT 13:26 UK

This would almost certainly have a very detrimental affect on sports teams and music venues that both very heavily benefit from alcohol sponsors and I recon it would have little affect on the amount people drink. As someone else said, advertising is about brand recognition. For example, if I see an advert for a cleaning product and I don't feel like cleaning it will not make me go out and buy some, but if I am buying a cleaning product I am more likely to go for the one I have seen advertised.

Robyn Cress, London, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:25 GMT 13:25 UK

The question that should be addressed is why do people feel the need to drink alcohol in excess whilst other countries manage to drink in a mature manner.

Without doubt for most workers it has to do with the stress of the day whilst for kids it is just peer pressure and mindless sheep syndrome.

People are working harder but getting less whilst the kids do not see any future prospects and for all their so called excellent education lack drive, initiative, discipline and respect.

[RantingRonC], Stoke on Trent

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:25 GMT 13:25 UK

"Ban it", "Tax it" seem to be the only words some people know. OK ban alchol advertising including the subliminals - close down The Woolpack, The Queen Vic and The Rovers etc. Does anyone in the real world really believe that banning alcohol advertising will make any difference? If we all give up drinking and smoking, the treasury would be in deep trouble. The costs to the NHS from alcohol and smoking are far outweighed by the taxes raised. People should be allowed to choose their own fate.

Bob Miller, Thurso

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:24 GMT 13:24 UK

Banning advertisements for alcohol will not affect most adults. But, young teenagers are impressionable and if the ban stops even one young person from starting to drink alcohol or binge drink, then what's wrong with a ban?

JD

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:23 GMT 13:23 UK

Why should the medical mafia wish to have a ban on the advertising of Alcohol. We are getting to the point where society is controlling everything in our daily lifes. If I wanted a nice cream cake to eat will they ban the advertising of this. It is so stupid to ban advertising on something which, in moderation, is a pleasure for those who do not abused it.

Next time the medical Mafia will want Pubs to be ban as well as supermarkets for selling it. When will banning everthing end ?

Gillian Moore, London, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:23 GMT 13:23 UK

Oh please!
Another blanket ban - can this government never get to the real root of the problem?
Dont make all the responsible people suffer for a few idiots!
Ginny, Aylesbury
-*-
Responsible people are perfectly capable of making their own mind regarding alcohol consumption. These adverts are for gullible idiots who cannot decide for themselves.

[Cosmologic]

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:23 GMT 13:23 UK

To tax, or to ban: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The forms and regulations of outrageous taxmen,
Or to take bans against a sea of vices,
And by banning end them...

Hamlet

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:22 GMT 13:22 UK

Would a ban reduce consumption?
No, young people get plenty of advertising in the home & from their peers.
Does the advertising of alcohol need to change?
I support a total ban because it's the right thing to do.
Should the alcohol industry be allowed to sponsor sports and music events?
No, but I’m all for the industry spending its £800M advertising budget in support of the NHS’ treatment of alcohol-related disease.
Do you think they'll go for it?

[BluesBerry], Toronto, Canada

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:22 GMT 13:22 UK

How's this for a thought doctors:
Give me an opinion when I consult you for one.
Keep quiet when I don't consult you.
Concentrate on your job as doctors and don't confuse yourselves by moving into areas of policy setting and/or lobbying government.
Oh, and did I mention 'stay out of my business'?

David Edwards, Aberdare

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:22 GMT 13:22 UK

I'd prefer to ban the BMA.

Simon Davies, London

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:22 GMT 13:22 UK

This is outrageous! Why is it that every time I turn on the radio or TV, or read a newspaper, that someone wants to ban or criminalise something? It's incessant. The trouble is that these self-appointed banners are often subsidised single issue pressure groups who somehow manage to persuade politicians to enact the ban. Smoking is one such issue and now we are losing our pubs an over 70 per week.

But then alcohol is costing the NHS £3 billion/year. So how much tax and duty is collected?

[superiorAnalyst]

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:21 GMT 13:21 UK

If they banned booze adverts I wouldn't know which booze to drink and so would end up trying every kind of booze imaginable in a crazed frenzy. I don't think that would be a very desirable outcome. Please keep booze adverts because I am incapable of deciding things for myself.

Aoin Douglas, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:21 GMT 13:21 UK

Yes, it's a great idea. If the drinks companies aren't spending money on advertising, it will reduce their costs. They should then be able to sell their booze more cheaply, so I'll be able to afford to drink more! Brilliant!

[DisgustedOfMitcham2], London, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 8 September, 2009, 12:20 GMT 13:20 UK

If alchole sales decline or are pushed underground the tax that is used to teat these drinkers will not be available to treat them.The social concequences of Sunday trading and licencing laws are comming home to ruest! education in schools is a must at twelve.We are living the generation of labour poor education in the 70 s.

Peter Jones, Reading