This response sets out evidence informed views in relation to the whisky sector in Scotland and
how it interacts with alcohol harms, and how the whisky and wider alcohol industry interacts
with policy designed to reduce harms. In summary:
- Whisky is an iconic Scottish product but is a relatively small employer in Scotland, with
most of its contribution to the economy resting on its exports, with roughly 95% of
Scotch being exported from the UK. People in Scotland are much more likely to
consume wine, beer and vodka than whisky. - Much of the whisky industry in Scotland is owned by large corporations who also own
wine, beer and vodka brands. - Alcohol harms in Scotland are considerable, though minimum unit pricing is thought to
have mitigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol harms to some extent,
and the policy has reduced inequalities in mortality from alcohol between our poorest
and most wealthy communities. - India should have the authority to pursue its own policies to reduce alcohol harms
under the terms of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK. - There has been little regulatory divergence between the devolved administrations within
the UK since the introduction of the Internal Market Act (IMA) and a more collaborative
approach to regulatory divergence should now be taken forward, with a more
transparent use of common frameworks. - Given the vast majority of whisky is exported from Scotland and the UK, any regulation
to address alcohol health harms would have minimal impact on the industry. - The alcohol industry adapts quickly and easily to regulatory divergence across Europe
and internationally. - The alcohol industry resists regulation as it has a duty to protect its own sales and
profits, but the role of government is to balance this with necessary measures to
improve the health of the population. - While the alcohol duty system is fairer now after it was reformed in 2023, if the
government was to introduce an alcohol duty escalator, it would be much more effective
at reducing deaths caused by alcohol. - It is possible for government to take forward targeted measures that support the on
trade and smaller producers while taking forward measures to improve public health.
Read our full response using the link below.
SHAAP response to the Scottish Affairs Committee call for evidence on Scotland’s Whisky Industry: tariffs, trade and growth
September 2026