The results of the study demonstrate that alcohol
marketing activity on brand websites is considerable.
Often sites are extremely sophisticated and contain a
wealth of content both appealing and desirable to the
target audience—often young people. There are justifiable
concerns that some of the content may appeal to
under age audiences. Furthermore, applying the regulations
governing above the line alcohol advertising to
alcohol brand websites suggests that some of the content
would breach the rules forbidding content from appealing
to youth, or linking alcohol with driving or sexual and
social success. Consideration of the regulatory system
has led to proposals for restrictions or bans coveringWeb
marketing [23,35].At the very least the same restrictions
applying to traditional media should apply. Indeed,
policy-makers have started to recognise the importance
of properly regulating new media channels, such as the
Internet and websites in relation to alcohol [36].