On 12 September, Health Secretary Neil Gray announced that Public Health Scotland will conduct an expert review into reducing alcohol advertising exposure.
This decision came after figures revealed that alcohol-related deaths in Scotland reached 1,277 in 2023, the highest number since 2008.
The announcement has received negative feedback, with people urging the government to focus on the more fundamental causes.
Sue Webber, a Conservative drugs spokesperson, feels the effect of marketing initiatives will be limited.
In a meeting of parliament on the 12 September she asked: “Does the cabinet secretary really believe that the right level of response to learning that alcohol deaths are at their highest level for 15 years is to commission a review into adverts?”
The rates of alcohol-related deaths are 4.5 times as high in most deprived areas compared to least deprived.
Laura Mahon, Deputy CEO of Alcohol Focus Scotland, a national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm, described the initiative as “completely insufficient for the scale of the problem”.
Alcohol consumer organisations have also shown their opposition in response to the announcement in fear of the potential negative consequences.
Tom Stainer, Chief Executive of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) stated in a press release that while there is the need to reduce alcohol-related deaths, this risks “demonising the vast majority of those who consume alcohol responsibly, damaging the viability of small, local pubs which are a vital part of our social fabric”.
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) said: “It is surprising that the Scottish Government have decided to revisit this area, especially after the previous proposals were rightly withdrawn after the consultation analysis showed overwhelming opposition to every single measure.”
Scotland also implemented the minimum price per unit of alcohol in 2018, despite opposition, which will rise from 50p per unit to 65p this September to reflect the impact of inflation.
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