Scottish Government publish analysis of Restricting Alcohol Advertising & Promotion Consultation responses
The Scottish Government has, this afternoon, published its findings from the consultation which took place earlier this year on restricting alcohol advertising and promotions consultation.
The Scottish Government is now considering options for restricting the advertising and promotion of alcohol products and will publish a new consultation looking at a narrower range of proposals in early 2024. This will follow a series of roundtable engagement events with industry and stakeholders, with more detail in the new year.
SGF met with Scottish Government officials prior to the publication of the findings and members of the Health Division have agreed to take part in a future SGF member roundtable event in 2024.
The consultation received over 3000 responses from people and organisations. The findings show that:
Opposition - There were high levels of opposition to the specific measures proposed. Almost three quarters of respondents opposed nearly all the other specific proposals set out in the consultation. Some of the concerns raised by respondents include:
Alcohol harm is a consequence of complex social, economic, and environmental factors, rather than brand marketing.
The evidence was drawn from a narrow, and highly selective range of sources and not an accurate reflection situation in Scotland.
The current regulatory arrangements implemented are adequate, effective and operate at no cost to the public purse.
Support – Approximately two thirds of respondents disagreed with the proposals and none of the proposed measures received majority support. However, public health and third sector organisations were overwhelmingly in favour of bans on alcohol marketing with minimal exceptions. Noting:
There may be causal links between the marketing and promotion of alcohol and attitudes towards alcohol.
The World Health Organization has identified 'prevention of the alcohol industry's influence on social norms' as a key purpose of comprehensive restrictions.
Restrictions may be effective in changing behaviour relating to purchase and consumption.
The consultation also covered a range of in-store restrictions. For example, a fifth of respondents (21%) thought that the visibility of alcohol should be further restricted in retail environments, while three-quarters (76%) thought it should not. Retail and hospitality organisations and alcohol producers were overwhelmingly against further restrictions. The retail section of the report is outlined on pages 40 to 49 and can found here.
Some of the arguments against further in-store restrictions highlighted the administrative and financial burden of the measures, evidence that marketing is targeted more at brand awareness than increasing sales and the impact of the proposals would have a disproportionate effect on smaller retailers.
The full consultation can be read here and the accompanying press release is available here.
SGF will continue to follow developments closely and will update members.