Alcohol marketing needs restrictions, experts say

A GROUP of experts have called for restrictions to be placed on alcohol marketing in a bid to improve health in Scotland.

A report from Alcohol Focus Scotland and a group of international experts have said the high visibility of alcohol advertising means people are “constantly bombarded with positive messages” about the effects of drinking.

But the group has called for the Scottish Government to take further action against such marketing content, which it said has become “increasingly sophisticated and more difficult to avoid”.

More than a quarter of Scots are drinking at levels that bring increased risk to their health, the charity says, citing research that has linked exposure to alcohol marketing with consumption.

The Scottish Government is being called upon to take further action in a bid to tackle the “public health emergency”.

Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “The current self-regulatory approach to alcohol marketing is failing to protect people and has led to our communities being wallpapered with promotions for a product that harms our health.

“We only need to think of how easily we recognise brands simply from a distinctive colour or font to realise how powerful marketing is.

“Children and young people tell us they see alcohol everywhere, all the time, and they worry that adverts make alcohol seem cool and exciting. People in recovery talk of how marketing jeopardises their recovery.

“But all of us are affected and this has to change.”

Recommendations put forward by the group to the Scottish Government include introducing advertising restrictions for outdoor and public spaces, merchandise branding, print publications and sponsorships in sports and events, and ensuring these restrictions include all forms of brand marketing beyond company names.

Making in-store alcohol displays visible only to those planning to browse or purchase alcohol and mandating the display of health information on all packaging has also been suggested.

Introducing these measures would address the concept that drinking is “normal and desirable”, the charity said, and would decrease the amount of exposure people in recovery for alcohol problems face.

Ms Douglas said: “People don’t just have a need to be protected from alcohol marketing – they have a right to be protected.

“A number of other countries have already imposed bans on alcohol marketing and the Scottish Government has committed to consulting in the autumn.

“If we want to create a more positive culture where everyone can realise their right to health, the Scottish Government must use Scotland’s full powers to restrict alcohol marketing.”