Scotland’s alcohol and drugs policy minister Elena Whitham has indicated that the controversial advertising ban, which was put on hold earlier this year, is still being considered. First Minister Humza Yousaf had announced a reconsideration of the issue, which could have led to the obscuring of alcohol in shops, in his initial major speech in his new role. This decision had generated opposition from retailers and producers before being temporarily set aside.

In the midst of revealing that 1,276 people died in 2022 due to alcohol-related causes, the highest figure since 2008, Whitham noted that there are still 3,000 responses from the cancelled consultation that need to be evaluated. She clarified, “While we are back to the drawing board – that doesn’t mean that it’s cancelled and it’s not going anywhere.” Whitham emphasized that her focus is centered on public health concerns.

When asked whether Scotland might still face an alcohol advertising ban, Whitham responded, “We don’t know what that’s going to look like.” She expressed the importance of reviewing the evaluation of responses before making any decisions. However, she underscored her dedication to approaching the matter from a public health perspective.

Whitham revealed that during discussions with stakeholders, First Minister Yousaf had reiterated his commitment to addressing alcohol-related harm. He had been forthright about the need to minimize harm to young people, acknowledging that marketing can contribute to this issue.