Alcohol advertising on social networks: what does the proposed law to protect young people provide for ?

A bill supported by several political groups could be examined in March at the National Assembly. Its objective: to strengthen the protection of young people against alcohol advertising, particularly on social networks, where some influencers circumvent the Evin law, its initiators declared on Wednesday.

A cross-party bill that could be debated in March in the National Assembly aims to protect young people from alcohol advertising, particularly on social media where some influencers are breaking the Evin law, its promoters said on Wednesday.

Presented by MPs Loïc Prud'homme (LFI) and Karine Lebon (GDR) and co-signed by 125 MPs from nine different groups, including the current Minister of Health, Yannick Neuder, when he was an MP, the text could be included on the agenda for the cross-party week of March 10.

“There is a real urgency”

“There is a real urgency for this bill to be put on the agenda”, Mr. Prud'homme judged on Wednesday during a press conference, Ms. Lebon estimating that this “public health issue” should “bring together support from all sides of the Assembly”.

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“So yes, we have the Evin law (of January 10, 1991, which regulates the sale and promotion of alcohol and tobacco) but it was written in the 1990s when TV was all-powerful, and it is no longer adapted to our times when young people are hooked on their smartphones (…) and influencers are constantly finding ways to get around the ban on advertising”, she said.

“It is estimated that 79% of 15-21 year-olds see alcohol ads every week on social media,” Lebon reported, noting that “brands collaborate with influencers” and “sponsor ads,” while “drinking alcohol before the age of 22 can cause irreversible brain damage: prevention should be done primarily among young people.” .

Certain profiles not affected

The bill, consulted by AFP, plans to ban “all advertising and propaganda, direct or indirect, for brands of alcohol, alcoholic beverages and non-alcoholic beverages whose name refers to a brand of alcohol”. Specialized influencers – with a profession linked to the alcohol industry – or publishing wine tourism information are not targeted.

The text – supported by a column published in the newspaper Libération, signed by political figures including Claude Evin, associations, artists and health professionals – also prohibits this advertising within a 250 m perimeter around schools and establishments receiving minors (gymnasiums, sports fields, etc.) and increases the amount of the penalty incurred in the event of non-compliance with the Evin law from 75,000 euros to 300,000 euros.