AA statement on SNP dropping alcohol consultation

On Humza Yousaf outlining his government’s plans as newly elected SNP Leader yesterday, the Advertising Association, which represents its members in Scotland, has issued the below statement on the dropping of the Scottish alcohol consultation.

Sue Eustace, Director of Public Affairs, Advertising Association, said:

“We welcome the confirmation by the First Minister that the Scottish Government will drop its current proposals to ban alcohol advertising in Scotland and return to the drawing board.

Whilst we agree with the Government’s desire to reduce alcohol harms, there is no evidence that advertising bans will achieve this aim. Instead these bans would have been harmful to economic growth in Scotland, including in rural communities, because advertising drives growth, competition and innovation.”