Passenger Rail, Research & Development

South Australia to ban alcohol ads from trains

The South Australian Government will ban alcohol advertising on buses, trains and trams from 2017, in an effort to curb youth drinking.

A recent review of South Australia’s liquor laws found a considerable improvement in underage drinking, with the average age at which young people consume their first alcoholic drink increasing from 15 to 15.7 between 2007 and 2013.

But the review noted that the momentum “could be undone” if the state doesn’t curb alcohol advertising.

Removing ads for booze on buses, trains and trams appears to be the state’s response to this.

“Unlike other advertising mediums such as television on radio, advertising on buses, trains and trams cannot be switched off,” state minister for transport and infrastructure Stephen Mullighan said.

“It is impossible to control who views the ads. Young people represent a significant proportion of public transport users with many regularly using public transport to school, work or recreational activities.

“We think this is an important step to minimise the risks associated with underage drinking, which can have lasting health impacts, and further supports our efforts to tackle irresponsible alcohol use in our community.”

To enforce the ban, content standards for contracts on Adelaide Metro vehicles will be amended to prevent primary product alcohol advertising from mid-2017.

Indirect advertising like sponsorship logos on sports uniforms, or the promotion of tourism events such as food and wine festivals, will be immune to the ban.

“We know that young people’s exposure to alcohol advertising is a contributor to the normalisation of alcohol use in our society and reinforces what is in some cases a harmful drinking culture in Australia,” Mullighan said.

Alcohol advertising was banned on public transport in the Australian Capital Territory in September 2015. South Australia will be the first state to enforce such a ban when changes take effect next year.