Key says alcohol ad ban unlikely to go ahead

John Key says he would be “extremely surprised” if a far-reaching ban on alcohol sponsorship and advertising went ahead. A ministerial forum on alcohol advertising and sponsorship has put forward a raft of recommendations – including a ban on alcohol companies sponsoring sports teams and events. Organisers of major Marlborough events that rely on sponsorship from the wine industry, including the Forrest GrapeRide and Saint Clair Vineyard Half Marathon, have said their future would be threatened if the recommendations were implemented.