Scotland launches an alcohol marketing consultation

The development comes following the publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation analysis on restricting alcohol advertising and promotions.

The report shows the majority of individuals and most organisations with links to the alcohol industry thought the proposals as set out would not achieve the intended outcomes of reducing alcohol consumption and alcohol harm and/or were disproportionate to the scale of the problem. However, there were high levels of agreement with the proposals among public health, third sector, local authorities and academic organisations.

Following targeted stakeholder engagement, the public will be asked for their views on a narrower range of proposals which take into account the views expressed and international public health evidence, including a recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) that restricting alcohol marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways of tackling alcohol harm.