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Alcohol Awareness Week
03/10/2008
People in Scotland are being urged to try lower alcohol beer, pour smaller glasses and choose at least two alcohol-free days every week, as part of Alcohol Awareness Week (October 5 - 11, 2008).
This year members of the public are being asked to sign up to make positive choices about how and when they drink.
The annual awareness week brings together Ministers, sports stars, the alcohol industry, health professionals and the voluntary sector.
The seven Alcohol Awareness Week challenges are:
- Choose at least two alcohol-free days per week
- Keep a drinking diary
- Go for smaller glasses
- Try lower alcohol beer
- Eat before you drink
- Get more out of the weekend by drinking responsibly
- Drink plenty of water
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"We know that many people in Scotland drink responsibly, but we also know that alcohol misuse is a serious problem, affecting our health and wellbeing.
"Making small, simple changes to our drinking habits can deliver big benefits and it doesn't have to be difficult. That is why we are asking adults of all ages, across Scotland, to sign up to the Alcohol Awareness Week challenge and make positive choices about the way they drink.
"This initiative has brought together government, the alcohol industry, health professionals, sports stars and the voluntary sector to make clear the importance of responsible drinking and tackling alcohol misuse."
Scotland's back row rugby player Dave Callam said:
"As professional athletes we have to take it pretty easy on a night out and you definitely notice the difference if you drink sensibly. People shouldn't feel pressurised into keeping up with everyone else and there's no harm in having a soft drink or a smaller glass.
"One of the things we have to do as rugby players is to keep hydrated when playing and it's the same if you're out drinking.
"If you keep hydrated, drinking plenty of water, you'll feel a lot better the morning after and be able to enjoy the day rather than feeling rough. You can still have a good night out or in with friends, without going overboard."
Managing Director of Scottish & Newcastle UK Jeremy Blood said:
"On behalf of the industry partners, I am delighted to reiterate our support for this year's Alcohol Awareness Week and our aim is to make this an even more successful campaign than last year.
"The industry is absolutely committed to working in partnership with government and other stakeholders to promote responsible drinking and tackle alcohol related harm."
Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland Jack Law said:
"Alcohol Focus Scotland is pleased to be supporting the second national Alcohol Awareness Week. We hope all events and publicity taking place during the week will have a positive effect on people's drinking habits.
"We know that too many people in Scotland are drinking too much. We will be using the week to encourage people to take small steps to cut down their drinking - whether that's having an extra alcohol-free day every week, pouring smaller measures or choosing a lower alcohol drink. It's easier than you might think to make a positive change which will benefit your health in the short and longer term."
People can sign up to any of the seven Alcohol Awareness Week challenges, and also challenge their friends by visiting www.alcoholawarenessweek.com
During the week, Scotland's mobile information hub, the InfoScotland Truck, will be rolling into towns and cities across Scotland. On board will be alcohol free beers and wines, unit measuring cups and drinking diaries to help people keep tabs on their drinking.
The Alcohol Awareness Week campaign will also feature posters highlighting the challenges in key locations such as railway stations and on buses. Some stores will also be giving away free water with every alcohol purchase and there will be free alcohol awareness training sessions.
Alcohol Awareness Week is an initiative by the Scottish Government Alcohol Industry Partnership.