Welcoming the Publication of Public Health Scotland's Rapid Review of Evidence About Alcohol Marketing and Advertising

That the Parliament welcomes the recent publication of Public Health Scotland's Rapid Review of Evidence about Alcohol Marketing and Advertising: Influences on consumer attitudes and behaviours, and the effects of regulation on those behaviours; understands that the review finds that exposure to alcohol marketing is a weekly, often daily, occurrence for most people, including children and young people; notes that this exposure occurs through a broad range of channels including billboards, sports and sporting events, public transport networks, alcohol-branded merchandise, alcohol retailers, print media and the internet; recognises the review’s finding that alcohol marketing and advertising is pervasive and persuasive and frequent exposure to it drives alcohol consumption and related harms, including among children and young people; notes the finding that voluntary self-regulation of marketing is not effective in reducing exposure and protecting vulnerable populations; supports the review’s conclusion that alcohol marketing restrictions can be effective and cost-effective in reducing exposure and consumption; notes that alcohol marketing restrictions have been implemented in many European countries already, including Ireland; believes that more action is therefore needed to protect children and young people from the damaging effects of exposure to alcohol marketing in Scotland, and further believes that children and young people have a right to a childhood free from alcohol marketing, as is supported by more than 60 organisations through the Alcohol-free Childhood campaign.