This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-34646834

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Parents 'could be criminalised' under proposed alcohol ad ban Law society 'wrong' over alcohol advert ban claim
(about 4 hours later)
Parents picking children up from school wearing alcohol-branded sports tops could be criminalised under proposed alcohol advertising restrictions, MSPs have been warned. The Law Society has said it was "wrong" over claims that parents picking children up from school wearing alcohol-branded sports tops could be criminalised by proposed new laws.
The Alcohol Bill proposes restrictions on advertising and sponsorship around schools, nurseries and playgrounds.The Alcohol Bill proposes restrictions on advertising and sponsorship around schools, nurseries and playgrounds.
It would also end alcohol advertising at some events targeted at under 18s. Archie MacIver, of the Law Society of Scotland, was speaking at Holyrood's Health and Sport Committee.
But the Law Society of Scotland warned that it risked affecting unknowing members of the public. He said MSPs could "draw a line through" earlier written evidence.
It said that under the proposed law, a parent or guardian wearing a football or rugby jersey with an advertisement promoting alcohol when collecting children from school would be committing an offence. In its submission to the committee, the Law Society had warned that the bill risked affecting unknowing members of the public.
It had said that under the proposed law, a parent or guardian wearing a football or rugby jersey with an advertisement promoting alcohol when collecting children from school would be committing an offence.
Billboard displaysBillboard displays
The proposed ban - brought to the Scottish Parliament by Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson as a Member's Bill - is currently being considered by Holyrood's health committee. The proposed ban was brought to the Scottish Parliament by Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson as a Member's Bill.
It is taking evidence on the bill from a range of organisations, including the Law Society of Scotland. The proposals would introduce a ban on "fixed advertising" such as billboards or window displays within 200 metres of schools, nurseries and children's play areas.
The proposals would introduce a ban on fixed advertising such as billboards or window displays within 200 metres of schools, nurseries and children's play areas.
It would also end drinks advertising at sporting and cultural events principally targeted at those under the age of 18.It would also end drinks advertising at sporting and cultural events principally targeted at those under the age of 18.
Mr MacIver told the health committee: "There is one aspect I think I should correct because it is, in my view, on reflection, wrong.
"We did cite examples of someone wearing a football jersey turning up at school gates. I accept that is not a fixed place so perhaps members could draw a line through that one.
"Unless you have got a very lazy parent who is standing there for days on end."
An online survey carried out by the committee found that 78% of the 543 respondents supported a ban on alcohol advertising near schools, and 83% supported a ban on alcohol sponsorship at events targeted at under 18s.An online survey carried out by the committee found that 78% of the 543 respondents supported a ban on alcohol advertising near schools, and 83% supported a ban on alcohol sponsorship at events targeted at under 18s.
In a written submission ahead of giving evidence, the Law Society of Scotland said it supported the stated aim of the legislation to promote public health and reduce alcohol related offending.
'Careful consideration'
But the society noted that: "In terms of section 6 (3) of the bill, "advertisement" means any word, letter, image, mark, light, model, placard, board, notice, screen, awning, blind, flag, device, representation container or package in the nature of, and employed wholly or partly for the purpose of, advertisement or promotion and 'alcohol advertisement' means an advertisement promoting alcohol.
"Given this wide definition it would appear in our view that an offence would be committed e.g. where a poster referring to a sporting event sponsored by a drinks company was displayed within the window of a private dwelling house in a restricted area or if a parent or guardian wears a football or rugby jersey with an alcohol sponsor when collecting children from school.
"This provision accordingly runs the risk of not just affecting persons with an interest in advertising but also, unknowingly, members of the public."
Renfrewshire Licensing Board shared similar concerns. It said: "The terms of the provisions, and the policy memorandum, state that, in the specific case of cultural or sporting events, any alcohol branding on an individual's clothing would be covered by the section.
"The board would wish careful consideration to be given to these provisions prior to the potential criminalising of individual citizens for what may be low-level contraventions of the proposed section."