Holyrood urged to get tough on drink adverts

The Scottish Government is being urged to introduce “comprehensive restrictions” on alcohol marketing, after a new poll showed a majority in favour.

Research by YouGov found three-quarters (75%) of people support controls being brought in to limit how much children and young people are exposed to drinks advertising.

More than two-thirds (68%) backed a ban on alcohol advertising on the TV before 9pm, while 71% say that in cinemas adverts for alcohol should be shown only before films with an 18 certificate.

Meanwhile just over half (51%) support barring alcohol advertising in outdoor and public places.

In the wake of the poll, the Alcohol Health Alliance, a coalition of more than 50 organisations working to tackle drink-related harm, called for action from both Holyrood and Westminster.

It comes after figures in August showed a 17% increase in alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland in 2020, with 1,190 fatalities recorded.

Alcohol Focus Scotland, a member of the Alcohol Health Alliance, insisted more needed to be done to protect young people.

Chief executive Alison Douglas said: “Now it is time for the Scottish Government to respond by introducing comprehensive restrictions on alcohol marketing, in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.”

Dr Nathan Critchlow, an academic fellow at the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at Stirling University, said: “The impact of various UK Government restrictions on tobacco marketing on youth smoking rates is plain to see, so it is logical that restrictions on alcohol marketing may be similarly effective.”