TACKLING HARMFUL DRINKING: ALCOHOL INDUSTRY ACTION TO HELP ADDRESS THE ISSUE SHOWCASED AT HOLYROOD EVENT
“It was fantastic to get the opportunity to host the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership at Holyrood, bringing industry and partners together to tackle harmful drinking.”
Tackling harmful drinking was the focus of an event at Holyrood last week, sponsored by Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands.
MSPs and other stakeholders, the third sector, Police Scotland and representatives from the drinks industry, were given the chance to see for themselves the work supported by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) and delivered across the country to tackle harm and promote an increasingly moderate and responsible approach to alcohol.
Several of the organisations that the SAIP and its members work with were represented at the event, including Drinkaware, Community Alcohol Partnerships, Best Bar None and the Portman Group.
Emma Roddick, MSP for Highlands and Islands said: “ It was fantastic to get the opportunity to host the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership at Holyrood, bringing industry and partners together to tackle harmful drinking. Scotland has a complicated relationship with alcohol, and it’s important that we prevent its misuse and the damage that can be done by drinking too much, while recognising the importance of alcohol culturally, socially, and economically.
"As a Highlands and Islands MSP, I know how important whisky is locally, and we need to empower people to enjoy that without it negatively impacting their health and relationships. Alcohol-related hospital stays are on the decline, and last year saw a welcome decrease in alcohol deaths, but effort is needed to make sure that trajectory continues in the right direction – industry must be part of that effort.”
Paul Waterson, SAIP Chair said: “Our industry has an important role to play in encouraging moderate consumption and in tackling harmful drinking. The event highlighted the range of targeted interventions being taken forward in partnership across the industry, in addition to work that many companies also do individually. We want to have a prosperous, vibrant alcohol industry whilst at the same time driving down harmful consumption. Progress is being made but more work remains to be done.”
Notes to editors
An image to accompany the release can be found here
For more information contact Paul Waterson, SAIP Chair contact on 07768 977102.
The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) is a partnership of alcoholic beverage producers and representatives of the on-trade and off-trade in Scotland which includes: Diageo, BII Scotland, National Association of Cidermakers, Molson Coors, TLT, Scottish Beer & Pub Association, Heineken, Bacardi, Pernod Ricard, The Scotch Whisky Association, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Wine & Spirits Trade Association, Scottish Retail Consortium, Whyte & MacKay, Scottish Grocers’ Federation and The Portman Group. It provides a platform for the alcohol industry to promote responsible consumption and contribute towards tackling harmful drinking.
Community Alcohol Partnerships- CAPs facilitates local partnerships that aim to tackle underage drinking and reduce alcohol harm in children and young people.
Drinkaware the independent, UK-wide, alcohol education charity which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by helping people make better choices about their drinking. The partnership works to boost Drinkaware initiatives in Scotland.
Best Bar None is the accreditation and awards scheme aimed at promoting the responsible management and operation of licensed premises.
The Portman Group is the social responsibility body and industry self-regulator for alcohol labelling, packaging, promotion and sponsorship in the UK.
‘It’ll Cost You’ Proxy Purchase Campaign is aimed at raising awareness amongst adults that a proxy purchase of alcohol is a criminal offence which carries a fine of up to £5,000, 3 months in prison, or both.