International alcohol advertising policies

In its 2004 Global Status Report: Alcohol policy, the World Health Organization presented survey information on regulation and self-regulation of alcohol advertising and sponsorship in its member countries. While legislative restrictions are common, few countries prohibit all forms of alcohol advertising. Some 23% to 31% of the 117 responding countries have implemented partial restrictions, either by medium – most usually restricting alcohol advertising on television and radio – and/or by beverage type – most usually restricting advertising of distilled spirits. The mix ranges from 44% restricting beer ads on national radio to 60% restricting spirits ads on national television. Around 15% rely on industry voluntary codes alone, which focus on ad content. A significant number of countries have no restrictions or rules on alcohol advertising.

An earlier survey of WHO European Region countries showed the use of voluntary codes is mainly a western European phenomenon. Out of 37 countries, 29 prohibited or legally restrict spirits advertising on television, 28 restricted wine advertising and 23 restricted beer advertising on television, with Nordic countries having mainly complete bans on alcohol advertising in all media.