The Scottish government is reviewing the amount of alcohol advertising the public is exposed to after an alarming rise in the number of alcohol-related deaths.

The plans were revealed by health secretary Neil Gray in an update to Holyrood yesterday (12 September), in the wake of what he called a “harrowing” rise in deaths.

Scottish drug-related deaths are consistently the highest in Europe, currently standing at 1,172 for 2023. Worryingly, alcohol-related deaths for 2023 are even higher, standing at 1,277 – the highest figure registered since 2008.

“Every single one of these lives lost is a profound tragedy. The rise of 12% from 2022 (in drug deaths) is a heartbreaking disappointment and worry,” Gray said.

Subscribe to Marketing Beat for free

Sign up here to get the latest marketing news sent straight to your inbox each morning

Following from Humza Yousaf’s shelved plans to obscure bottles of beer, wine and spirits in shops, the Scottish government has now brought in expert to evaluate how the public’s to alcohol-related advertising and content can be minimised.

Conservative drugs spokeswoman Sue Webber added: “SNP politicians should hang their heads in shame, but instead they carry on, determined to prioritise decriminalisation and harm reduction over recovery.”

“Do you really believe the right level of response to learning that alcohol deaths are at their highest level in 15 years is to commission a review into adverts?”