This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Partnership to combat alcohol abuse
05/09/2006
Major drinks producers are working with the Executive in a new partnership to combat alcohol misuse, a special conference heard today.
In what would be the first formal partnership of its kind between industry and government, Diageo, InBev (Tennents), the Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish & Newcastle will work with the Executive to tackle the health and social harm associated with excessive alcohol consumption.
This will include joint work to produce guidelines on the promotion of alcohol, a common set of responsible drinking messages, and developing and implementing exemplary alcohol policies in the workplace.
At the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions (ICAA) conference in Edinburgh, Health Minister Andy Kerr said:
"Scotland has a reputation of being a nation of heavy drinkers. It is a reputation we are far too relaxed about.
"If Scotland is to fully realise its potential to be the best small country in the world then we need to challenge the ethos of drinking simply to get drunk.
"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. Put simply, Scotland as a whole is paying far too high a price.
"That's why - along with a whole range of other action - we have been meeting senior alcohol industry representatives to look at ways to make a difference.
"I'm very pleased that we have reached common ground with the big drinks producers on promoting responsible consumption. It's in everyone's interest to make this happen. Over the next few weeks, we will be sorting out the detail of the agreement and outlining some of the specific voluntary steps that can be taken to encourage a more responsible attitude towards alcohol.
"I want this to be the basis for a long term partnership - one which over time reaches out to include other producers, as well as alcohol retailers and the licensed trade. We are already working closely with all these sectors as we update the alcohol action plan.
"Cultural change takes time. But we should be in no doubt that change must happen and each and every one of us has a responsibility to face up to this."
Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said:
"Attitudes to irresponsible drinking must change and will require a long term commitment. 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.
"Building on existing best practice, such as the SWA's Code of Practice on Responsible Marketing and Promotion, the Scotch Whisky industry is committed to playing its part to the full."
Kieran Simpson, Head of Public Affairs at Scottish & Newcastle plc, said:
"As Britain's leading Brewer and one of Scotland's largest employers in the drinks industry, Scottish & Newcastle wholeheartedly supports responsible drinking in every respect. 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."
Key statistics about alcohol-related harm:
- The number of alcohol related deaths has increased threefold in Scotland between 1991 and 2004;
- The number of discharges from Scotland's general hospitals with a diagnosis of acute intoxification have also risen by nearly 50percent over the last 10 years
- There are over 7,000 drunkenness offences in Scotland each year
- Nearly half of those who commit murder in Scotland - whose drink status is known - were drunk at the time of the offence
- 1 in 6 road accidents is due to drink driving, and 1 in 3 adult pedestrians killed on the roads had been drinking
- Alcohol is the greatest single contributory factor to people dying in house fires in Scotland
- There are between 80,000 and 100,000 children living in homes in Scotland where one or both parents has an alcohol problem
- Alcohol related harm has an estimated £1 billion cost to the NHS and the Scottish economy
Executive action on alcohol includes:
- £20 million allocated over 2005-07 for alcohol treatment and rehabilitation
- Alcohol communications campaign - 'Alcohol. Don't push it. - encouraging individuals to take responsibility for others
- Licensing Act which includes tough action to tackle binge drinking
- Supporting an alcohol test purchase pilot in Fife to deal with under-age drinking
- Alcohol Action Plan launched in 2002 - and now being updated