New campaign that helps people to Keep Track and Cut Back
A campaign to help people who are concerned about lockdown home drinking has been launched in Scotland.
With many of us in lockdown, our convivial moments have naturally been restricted to the home. For most of us this has not meant an increase in consumption. But for some, the destabilising effects of anxiety, isolation and concerns for the future have led to increased drinking.
The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP), an alliance of alcohol retailers and producers, recognises the unique circumstances we face can lead to some people struggling with new-found drinking habits. For many, those habits will change when normal life returns. But if you’ve noticed the bottle recycling bin is getting fuller, or you’re crushing a lot more cans, it may be time to seek some help.
The “Keep Track Cut Back” campaign, running on social media channels for the next three weeks, will guide those worried about their own drinking or the drinking of someone else to tools on the Drinkaware website. These can help people to assess how much they are drinking and gives advice on some simple ways to cut down.
SAIP spokesperson, Dr John Lee from the Scottish Grocers’ Federation said: “Research has shown that most adults have continued to drink the same or less during lockdown but there are signs that a small number of people are drinking a lot more. Non-judgemental and easy to follow guidance or a simple way to assess your drinking are all available on the Drinkaware site including their app which is an easy way to track your drinking and set goals.
For further information, please contact Dr John Lee on 07794 237326
“Alcohol plays an important role in the social fabric of society but the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership recognises that these unprecedented times can impact negatively on people’s health and well-being and that is why we are determined to do what we can to help.”
Notes to editors
1. Drinkaware’s Monitor 2020 shows that 10% of adult Scottish drinkers were drinking much more alcohol during early lockdown (late March to June). This reduced to 3% in later lockdown (July to August). www.drinkaware.co.uk
2. 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, Scotch Whisky Association, Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Wine & Spirit Trade Association, Scottish Retail Consortium, Whyte & Mackay, Scottish Grocers’ Federation and Portman Group.
3. It provides a platform for the alcohol industry to promote responsible drinking and contribute towards tackling alcohol-related harm.
4. In addition to this campaign, the SAIP runs a number of other programmes, namely the promotion of the 125ml wine measure in the on-trade; the ‘You’re Asking For It’ campaign to tackle proxy purchase; Drinkaware at Work campaign in collaboration with Drinkaware to support employees in making informed choices about their drinking and the ‘Confidence & Responsibility’ campaign to support safe socialising in pubs and bars as we move out of the COVID19 lockdown.