Type: General
Product: Alcohol
Sent To: All contacts
Action: Contact Copy Advice
Sector: Alcohol

CAP and the ASA are concerned about recent press reports (e.g. The Observer, 23 March 2003) about the imminent launch of “Viagra pops”. These alcohol-based drinks purportedly contain “aphrodisiacs” and may well be marketed at young people as a way of enhancing their libidos.

The CAP Code contains strict rules on the marketing of alcoholic drinks (see section 46). In particular, marketing should be socially responsible, should not encourage people to adopt styles of drinking that are unwise, should not be directed at people under 18 and should not suggest that alcoholic drink can enhance physical or sexual capabilities. Moreover, neither CAP nor the ASA have seen satisfactory evidence that Chinese/herbal “aphrodisiacs” actually work.

Members are asked to contact the Copy Advice team before publishing, handling or distributing marketing for these products.