Alcohol advertising ban is ill thought out
A consultation is currently under way over a proposal to restrict alcohol advertising and sponsorship as a way of tackling Scotland’s “troubled relationship with alcohol”.
As with many of these plans, they are well meaning, but so often are applied with a broad brush where the fine details and consequences are not thought through. As is the case here.
Like many Scottish publications, we have a vested interest in this. Our region is home to a large number of distilleries and breweries, many of which advertise with us.
The businesses provide many direct jobs, particularly on the islands, and indirectly support hundreds of other business, be it in agriculture, packaging, or logistics.
However, if this plan goes through as is, it would also cut off vital funding to our sports clubs and community groups, and impact the many festivals held in our region.
Most would agree something has to be done about the health of our nation, but an urgent rethink of these plans is needed because if not, they would “destroy Scotland’s drinks industry”, and deliver a crippling blow to our fragile, hospitality-led economy.
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