Scottish anti-binging partnership formed

Related tags Scotch whisky association Alcoholic beverage Alcoholism

Diageo, InBev, Scottish and Newcastle, and the Scotch Whisky Association are to form a partnership with the Scottish Executive to tackle alcohol...

Diageo, InBev, Scottish and Newcastle, and the Scotch Whisky Association are to form a partnership with the Scottish Executive to tackle alcohol misuse in the country.

Announced by Health Minister Andy Kerr, it will be the first formal partnership of its kind between industry and government.

Speaking at the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions Conference in Edinburgh, he said the group would draw up specific voluntary steps "over the next few weeks" to encourage responsible attitudes towards alcohol. Measures will include producing guidelines on alcohol advertising, a common set of responsible drinking messages, and developing and implementing exemplary alcohol policies in the workplace.

Mr Kerr laid the blame largely with supermarkets and the irresponsible use of alcoholic drinks as a loss-leading product. He added that he hoped to recruit other producers and members of the licensed trade to the partnership.

Scotland needs "to challenge the ethos of drinking simply to get drunk", he said.

"This is not about being anti-drinking but excessive alcohol consumption is presenting a significant challenge to Scotland's public health, and to our communities, and it is a challenge that no one can afford to ignore."

A Scottish and Newcastle spokesman said: "We welcome this initiative and look forward to working in partnership with the Scottish Executive and others to tackle the harm caused by the abuse of alcohol."

Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Gavin Hewitt said: "Securing an historic partnership as signalled by the Health Minister today will see Scotch whisky distillers, the Scottish Executive and others, taking a lead in promoting responsible attitudes to alcohol in Scotland."

Related topics Legislation

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