Alcohol will be set at a minimum price per unit under the proposals, which were unveiled yesterday. Retailers will also be banned from using promotional incentives and point of sale materials will be heavily restricted.
It is feared that the clampdown will have hard-hitting effects on alcohol brands and pubs that are already struggling in the challenging economic climate.
David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, which was set up by drinks manufacturers to promote sensible drinking, said that the Scottish government was "not listening to reason". He blasted the plans for punishing sensible drinkers, while doing nothing to educate the reckless minority on the dangers of alcohol.
Whisky manufacturers also warned that the minimum pricing proposal was likely to breach both EU and international trade law.
Gavin Hewitt, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: "It is hard to believe any Scottish government would bring forward proposals that are likely to be both illegal in international trade law and risk damaging the industry.
"Regrettably, minimum pricing achieves both and undermines our success in breaking down illegal discrimination against scotch whisky around the world."
The Wine and Spirit Association is reported to be in the process of consulting lawyers and competition experts on the legality of the proposal.
There are no current plans for England to follow the Scottish government's move.