Research Regarding the Effect of Alcohol Marketing on People with Alcohol Problems

The motion

That the Parliament welcomes new research, A rapid literature review of the effect of alcohol marketing on people with, or at increased risk of, an alcohol problem, which was carried out by the University of Nottingham, and was commissioned by Alcohol Focus Scotland; recognises that there were 1,277 alcohol-specific deaths in Scotland in 2023; understands that people in Scotland are exposed to high levels of alcohol marketing on a daily basis and that this influences how much alcohol they drink; notes the findings of the review, that alcohol marketing is likely to have an effect on alcohol consumption amongst people with, or at increased risk of, an alcohol problem, and can act as a trigger for people in recovery from an alcohol problem; further notes from the evidence that people who drink heavily may be particularly vulnerable to the effects and influence of marketing; understands that, for people in recovery, alcohol adverts can be harmful, trigger cravings and potentially lead to relapse; considers that alcohol adverts often portray positive emotions and associations with drinking, which can lead to increased consumption for heavier drinkers, those with an alcohol use disorder, and people in recovery from an alcohol problem; further considers that the findings of this review imply that a causal association between alcohol marketing and alcohol use in people with, or at increased risk of an alcohol problem, is likely; believes that this adds weight to the argument for widespread marketing restrictions, and considers that regulating alcohol marketing would reduce people in Scotland’s exposure to alcohol marketing, which, it believes, would in turn reduce alcohol consumption and harm, helping to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation.

No recorded vote on this motion. Most motions are never debated, and many that are debated are agreed without a division. Vote records are published from 2011.

Lab 7 Green 6 SNP 3 Ind 1

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

No contribution in the Official Report cites S6M-15979 by reference.