Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 14 July 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the recommendations of the report commissioned by Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems and the Institute of Alcohol Studies, Spin the bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility.
The Scottish Government remains committed to reducing alcohol-related harm, and notes the recommendations in, Spin the Bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility.
The Scottish Government continues to progress work to reduce alcohol harm that aligns with the recommendations in the report including the increase and continuation of Minimum Unit Pricing and progressing work on protecting children and young people from exposure to alcohol marketing.
Regarding engagement with the alcohol industry, it is crucial that we prevent and reduce alcohol-related harms, but that aim has to be balanced with careful consideration of the impact restrictions may have on businesses, consumers and local economies. The Scottish Government does not engage with the alcohol industry on the development of public health policy or public health science, but will continue to engage on potential effects and impact of public health interventions on business.