There could be a reduction in the amount of alcohol advertising in Scotland, after the Scottish Government detailed the plans to reduce promotional opportunities for booze.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd gave an outline of potential measures to tackle the issue while giving evidence to MSPs on Wednesday.
Lessening the exposure of these adverts to young people is key to the plans, in the hope of improving Scotland’s wellbeing.
“Our Chief Medical Officer has said that a healthier population could be one of our nation’s most important assets and must be our ambitions,” said Todd.
“…it’s also why we need to consult on potential restrictions on alcohol advertising and review the level of minimum unit price.”
Todd went on to set out research regarding the extent of alcohol advertising reaching young people in Scotland.
Citing a 2018 survey, she said that over half of the 3000 11-19-year-olds surveyed saw at least 32 incidences of promotion a month.
Amounting to more than one instance a day, the World Health Organisation states that countries must do more to diminish the attractiveness of alcohol to their populations.
Scotland recorded 1190 alcohol-specific deaths in 2020, which represented a 17% increase compared to the 2019 figures.
It also marked the highest number of deaths in this category since 2008, with the statistics for 2021 yet to be published.
Todd continued: “Seeing alcohol advertising and promotion can influence the attitudes that children and young people have towards alcohol, especially when this is cast as fun, sociable or cool.”
“We know that there is a direct link between exposure to alcohol marketing and children and young people starting to drink alcohol, and this can increase the likelihood that they will drink in ways that can be risky or harmful in later life.”
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