Scotland's potential ban on alcohol advertising to go 'back to the drawing board'

A consultation on severely restricting alcohol advertising in Scotland is to go “back to the drawing board”.

In an address to the Scottish government on Tuesday 18 April, Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf acknowledged that proposals to restrict alcohol advertising had caused "real concern" to the industry.

The consultation suggested potential measures such as banning alcohol advertising in print and online, a ban on sponsorships for sport and live events, and ending the sale of products with drinks firms' logos.

Industry voices including the Scottish License Trade Association (SLTA) and Scottish Hospitality Group said that such a ban would have “damaging consequences” if implemented. SLTA managing director Colin Wilkinson speculated that the move could see pubs and bars “blacken out..windows in case somebody happens to see an advert even within the premises”.

Addressing the Scottish government, Yousaf said that “it is clear that some of the proposals have caused real concern to an industry which is already facing challenges on multiple fronts”.

He added that he has instructed his officials to take these ideas “back to the drawing board”, and work with key stakeholders, including the hospitality industry, to agree upon a new set of proposals.

Yousaf said: “I believe that all of us want to reduce the harm caused by alcohol, particularly to young people but without undermining Scotland’s world class drinks industry or tourism sector.”