Scottish ministers have been urged to rethink the “well intentioned” proposals to ban alcohol advertising.
Industry leaders have come out against the plans following the closure of the Scottish Government’s consultation on Thursday afternoon.
The consultation sought views on changes to how alcohol is advertised, with regulations that could include a ban on sponsorships for sport and live events, and distillery and brewery shops also barred from selling branded merchandise to visitors.
In a joint statement from nine organisations, including the Advertising Association, the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, Scottish ministers were told the proposals will not address excessive alcohol consumption.
The letter said: “Whilst we understand the desire to reduce alcohol consumption harms in Scotland, there is no evidence that advertising bans will achieve that aim.
“The proposals set out by the Scottish Government will fail to address the problem.”
It added: “We call for a fundamental rethink of the proposals with a focus on targeted and practical policies that facilitate behaviour change without damaging the Scottish economy and the advertising and creative industries that are important to the entrepreneurial Scotland that the Scottish Government want to see.”
Meanwhile, the GMB union, which represents thousands of workers in the brewing and spirits industry, said the economy would suffer as a result of policies made “within the Holyrood bubble”.
GMB Scotland organiser David Hume said: “While the consultation is well intentioned, an alcohol advertising ban will inevitably be detrimental to jobs across the sector and its supply chains.
“And in a cost-of-living crisis, workers in the real world shouldn’t pay the price for the unintended consequences of decisions taken within the Holyrood bubble.
“Let’s be clear, the sector is a fundamental pillar of our economy and the jewel in the crown of our highly valuable food and drink sector – we cannot do without.
“That’s why GMB is urging ministers to scrap their proposals and work with employers and unions to bring forward a national strategy to support the sector rather than restrict it.”
The Scottish Government has previously said the aim is to take responsible steps on public health.
But the Scottish Beer and Pub Association said Scotland’s new first minister should “quickly throw out these ludicrous proposals”.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the body which represents both pubs and brewers, said the government’s consultation was “poorly conceived” and had “refused to acknowledge the economic, social, historic, and cultural importance of the brewing, distilling and hospitality sector”.
She said: “If enacted, the proposals would have a catastrophic impact not just for Scottish producers, but for so many other vital sectors that are engines of economic growth.
“This would include our tourism industry as well as sports clubs and associations, from professional to grassroots community level.
“Our cultural sector, theatres and cinemas would also come under additional pressure as well as public transport providers.”
McClarkin added: “The beer and pub sector remain steadfast in their commitment to responsible consumption and reducing health harms, but we strongly urge the new first minister, once elected, to quickly throw out these ludicrous proposals and instead look to targeted interventions and partnership working with key stakeholders.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson responded: “We are consulting on views on the most appropriate next steps in reducing alcohol-related harm, which is one of the most pressing public health challenges that we face in Scotland.”
The consultation closed on 9 March and as yet “no decisions have been taken”.
The spokesperson continued: “We have been meeting a number of stakeholders - including Scottish Rugby and the drinks manufacturing, advertising and media sectors - during the consultation period to hear directly from them and will further engage with stakeholders around any next steps.”
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