Dr Richard Simpson’s Member’s Bill, which would potentially have seen significant restrictions on alcohol advertising and marketing, has fallen. The Stage 1 debate on 4th February concluded with a 59-36 vote against the Bill. This was the longest Members’ Bill since the parliament was established and it remains to be seen whether any of the component parts will re-appear in party manifestos ahead of the May Holyrood elections.
For the Scottish Government, Public Health Minister Maureen Watt MSP said that the government felt strategies would be better rolled out via their alcohol framework and that she won’t support the Bill at this stage.