The group is an independent company set up in 1989 by leading UK drinks manufacturers.

It aims to prevent alcohol abuse and promote sensible drinking.

However, it has been criticised for being too close to the drinks industry.

The BMA says it should be replaced by "an independent regulator with real powers of enforcement".

But Jean Coussins, Director of the Portman Group, said there was no need to implement the BMA's recommendations.

"The BMA's views seem to be out of date," she said.

"Virtually all their recommendations for a strengthened code, made two years ago to our own public review, have already been implemented and are working effectively."

'Excellent example'

She said the Office of Fair Trading had declared the group's code on the responsible marketing of alcoholic drinks "an excellent example of self-regulation" and had said the group itself was "genuinely independent".

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The BMA also wants a change in the law to bring the rest of the UK in line with Scotland.

Under Scottish law, it is an offence for adults to buy alcohol for public, unsupervised consumption by anyone under 18.

The report says that children should be sent into shops to buy alcohol - under carefully controlled circumstances - to test if retailers are obeying the law.

People who sell alcohol should also be trained in the law regarding alcohol and young people, before they are allowed a licence.

'Urgent government action'

Sir William Asscher, chairman of the BMA's Board of Science and Education, said: "We need concerted government action to address the problems of underage and teenage drinking.

"Part of the solution lies in health education, but teenagers, with their delusions of immortality, are notoriously difficult to influence.

"That makes it all the more imperative that we have effective legislation and monitoring of the drinks industry, responsible marketing and tough enforcement."

But Ms Coussins said the Portman group was already pressing for a change in the law to deliver some of the BMA's demands.

"As for test purchasing and stricter licensing laws to stop children buying alcohol, it was the Portman Group that pressed harder than any other organisation to persuade an MP to introduce a Private Member's Bill to deliver these changes," she said.

"I hope the BMA is using all the influence at its disposal to encourage MPs to support the second reading of Chris McCafferty's Bill on 16 April."