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The Portman Group, whose aim is to promote responsible drinking and put forward the industry angle on alcohol issues, said the Scottish government proposals would “inhibit consumers’ ability to make informed choices”.
The Scottish government’s consultation on restricting alcohol advertising and promotion includes the following proposals:
- Banning alcohol adverts in print media – newspapers and magazines
- A ban on sports sponsorship in Scotland, which would also include bans on players and staff featuring in alcohol adverts in print and online
- A ban on alcohol events sponsorship
- A total ban on outdoor alcohol advertising, including on vehicles and in public places
- Restrictions on the retail of display of alcohol
- Ban the sales of alcohol-branded merchandise in Scotland
- Extending any marketing restrictions to low and no alcohol alternatives which share branding with drinks over 1.2% ABV
- Restricting the content of alcohol advertising to only factual statements.
Matt Lambert, chief executive of the Portman group, argued that heavy drinking in Scotland was in decline.
He said: “The majority of adults in Scotland are moderate or non-drinkers and it is encouraging that binge drinking, alcohol-related crime and under-age drinking have all significantly declined.
“These recommendations are entirely disproportionate and inhibit consumers’ ability to make informed choices and restrict the ability to trade for producers and retailers who ensure that alcohol is sold responsibly.”
The Portman group added that it believes its codes of practice “have played a significant role in helping to achieve reductions in under-age drinking, through extensive commitments to ensure marketing and sponsorship does not target under-18s or vulnerable consumers”.
