NZ Events Face Alcohol Sponsor Ban

The New Zealand government is planning to adopt some of the 14 recommendations of the Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship from December. It focused on marketing to consumers under 18, targeting sports, music and cultural events.

If passed, alcoholic brands cannot advertise on television, radio and social media where 10 percent of their audience is younger than 18. The six-person panel accepted that the future of many music and sports events could be affected. It recommended new initiatives to financially support events that “might have ordinarily had access to alcohol sponsorship funds.”

Another recommendation was additional restrictions on external advertising on licensed venues, many of which showcase bands and DJs. The Association of Alcohol Advertisers dismissed bans on alcohol promotions as “extreme” and not backed by evidence.