A report by Ofcom has confirmed that Coronation Street is the TV show that’s received the most complaints about drug and alcohol use.
Third on the list was ITV’s Emmerdale which received a total of 52 complaints.
In 2013, Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) was named the unhealthiest character in UK soaps after it was found he was either drinking or talking about drinking in 62% of his scenes.
Second in the top five was ITV 2’s Love Island, which received 73 complaints for showing contestants smoking.
When it comes to Coronation Street, Ofcom received 310 complaints about the depiction of smoking, drinking and drug use, with many scenes in the Rovers Return accounting for showing alcohol.
Viewers also reacted to Corrie showing cigarettes on display in Weatherfield’s local shop after real supermarkets had been banned from displaying them.
Most recently, Coronation Street focused on teenage drug use that saw Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) drawn into the world of drug dealing after his friend Jacob manipulated him into the dangerous business.
Will Mellor’s character Harvey Gaskell was the leader of the drug gang Jacob and Simon worked for. Harvey would force teenagers to deal drugs and threatened to hurt them if they refused or didn’t follow his plans.
Elsewhere, Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) recently received a liver transplant following a return to drink.
The alcoholic hit the bottle last year after discovering Carla (Alison King) slept with Adam (Sam Robertson).
After several collapses, trips to hospital and pushing his friends and family away, Peter admitted he needed help.
Peter experienced horrific withdrawal symptoms and eventually, after months of waiting, he was given a new liver.
Dan Marchant, Smoking Cessation Expert at Vape Club commented:
‘TV producers need to be responsible when considering whether characters should be depicted smoking, drinking or using drugs. Is it integral to the character? In most cases, the answer to that question will probably be no. In previous years, everyone from detectives and spies to gangsters and soap opera bad boys would be seen smoking, which went a long way towards glamorising the habit.
‘But as fewer and fewer people smoke in society, we’re finding that stereotype seems more out of touch than ever. I don’t believe vaping should be shown on screen either, since it’s a smoking cessation method for adults, and equally should not be glamourised in any way.
‘But I do believe it’s vital that children and young people are exposed to less smoking on TV, particularly in pre-watershed programming.’
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What is Ofcom and what does it cover?
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.
The watchdog makes sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.
Ofcom deals with most content on television, radio and video-on-demand services, including the BBC. However, if your complaint is about something you saw or heard in a BBC programme, you may need to complain to the BBC first.
Its rules for television and radio programmes are set out in the Broadcasting Code.
The rules in the Broadcasting Code also apply to the BBC iPlayer.
This Broadcasting Code is the rule book that broadcasters have to follow and it covers a number of areas, including; protecting the under-18s, protecting audiences from harmful and/or offensive material and ensuring that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
Audiences can complain to Ofcom if they believe a breach of the Broadcasting Code has been made.
Every time Ofcom receives a complaint from a viewer or listener, they assess it to see if it needs further investigation.
If Ofcom decide to investigate, they will include the case in a list of new investigations, published in the Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin.
An investigation is a formal process which can take some time depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
Ofcom can also launch investigations in the absence of a complaint from a viewer or listener.
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