Doctors are calling for pubs to have their opening hours cut back as part of a drastic package of measures to tackle alcohol abuse.

The British Medical Association (BMA) wants a reduction in licensing hours for both on- and off-trade premises.

It is also calling for a ban on all alcohol marketing and promotion.

Along with ending advertising and sports sponsorship, this would include stopping happy hours, two-for-one deals and ladies’ free entry promotions.

The BMA report, “Under the Influence”, also calls for minimum price levels for alcohol, and tax increases above the rate of inflation and linked to alcohol strength.

The report’s author, Professor Gerard Hastings, said: “Given the alcohol industry spends £800m a year in promoting alcohol in the UK, it is no surprise that children and young people see it everywhere – on TV, in magazines, on billboards, as part of music festivals or football sponsorship deals, on internet pop-ups and on social networking sites.

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