ScotGov Statement: Policy on Alcohol Marketing and Restrictions in Scotland

The Scottish Health Secretary, Neil Gray, made a statement to parliament today (September 12th) discussing alcohol policy and potential restrictions to its marketing and advertising.

Key points for our sector include:

• MUP will be increasing from 50p per unit to 65p at the end of September.

• The consultation on potential restrictions to alcohol marketing and advertising, which closed in early 2023, made clear that there were legitimate concerns raised by business and industry, which pressured the government to reconsider its proposals.

• A review will be commissioned with Public Health Scotland which will look at all the evidence available on the impact that alcohol marketing and advertising has.

• The government remains clear on progressing the work on restricting alcohol advertising however, to ensure it will have the greatest impact particularly on children and young people while considering potential impacts to businesses and industry.

• Proposals would need to be effective and led by evidence on the impact to the wider economy. 

• SGF would expect there to be a revised consultation published once the review has been completed.  

You can watch the full statement here.