Roadshow to expose booze ads

A "GOGGLEBOX"-STYLE VW campervan will visit Oldham tomorrow to raise awareness about the harm caused by daytime alcohol adverts seen by kids.

The specially-adapted vehicle will welcome passers-by to Gallery Oldham for a cuppa during which they will see ads for booze typically viewed during daytime hours, especially during popular sporting events.

Viewers will be able to comment on what they've seen and about the issue of alcohol advertising in general.

The roadshow has been organised by Manchester-based social enterprise Healthier Futures on behalf of Greater Manchester local authorities who want to address the impact of alcohol marketing on children, and will visit nine locations across the region.

The latest figures for Oldham show that alcohol led to 127 deaths (in 2014) and cost the local economy, including the NHS, £88 million (in 2013).

Cllr Eddie Moores, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "Oldham Council is keen to do everything it can to protect the health of our residents.

"Alcohol can have a seriously damaging effect on our communities and alcohol marketing is on the increase.

Action

"Half of all alcohol adverts on TV are screened before 9pm. This bombardment of alcohol messaging is not acceptable and we call on government ministers to take action and move all alcohol adverts to after at least the 9pm watershed."

The roadshow forms part of the wider "See What Sam Sees" campaign based on an online video depicting a child's typical day and the amount of alcohol advertising he is confronted with.