Pub goers and beer drinkers across Scotland are being asked to join the fight to stop a proposed ban on the advertising of alcohol.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) says the proposals in the Scottish Government’s consultation on banning alcohol advertising could spell the end for consumer choice, independent breweries, and local festivals. It could also be devastating for all alcohol producers and drinks festivals in Scotland.
CAMRA is urging pub-goers and drinkers to join its fight to see off the proposals by using its quick template email tool. The consultation runs until 9th March.
“The Scottish beer scene has boomed in recent years, with consumers being able to pick from a huge range of quality and distinctive brews and ciders from local and independent producers,” said CAMRA Scotland director Stuart McMahon.
“But if these small businesses can’t advertise new products, shops can’t display a decent range of local beers, and festivals showcasing the best of Scottish brewing can’t go ahead because they can’t advertise that they are happening, then all this could soon come to an end. We risk going back to the bad old days where the only choice for customers was between a few similar beers that were mass produced by a few brewing giants.
“I don’t think it is over-egging the pudding to say that this could be the biggest threat to consumer choice and good beer that CAMRA has ever faced in nearly 50 years of campaigning in Scotland. These proposals are aimed at stopping alcohol consumption across the whole of society, despite evidence that the majority of drinkers do so responsibly.”
