The Scottish Government have announced that they will be consulting on alcohol advertising and promotion. They said:
“Restricting alcohol marketing is identified as one of the World Health Organization’s three ‘best buys’, the most cost-effective measures that WHO recommends to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. Many our European neighbours have already taken action to restrict alcohol marketing including Ireland, France and Norway. This consultation sets out a potential approach for Scotland.”
In response to the publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation on alcohol marketing, Alcohol Health Alliance Chair Professor Sir Ian Gilmore commented:
“Exposure to alcohol marketing makes children start drinking earlier and drink more. It can also make it hard for heavy drinkers to cut down. Yet alcohol marketing is all around us: in shops, on TV and billboards, even on the shirts of our favourite sports teams.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s plans to stem the tide of alcohol marketing, especially potential limits to sports sponsorship. Alcohol is a harmful and addictive product, and, like tobacco, its marketing must be restricted accordingly.
“The UK Government should follow this example and bring in protections to stop children seeing unwanted alcohol marketing. With alcohol deaths at record high levels, we need bold action from the Government to tackle this public health crisis.”
The Scottish Government is welcoming responses on whether restrictions should be introduced and what these might cover until the closing date of 9 March 2023.
