Cider Industry to take Active Role in Alcohol Misuse Consultations

June 23 2009



The UK cider industry is a committed partner in the Government’s efforts to tackle alcohol misuse.

A new consultation document on the promotion and sale of alcoholic beverages has just been published and the industry will be actively engaged in the discussion process that will follow. Read the full text of the document here.

‘The cider industry has been in the forefront of initiatives on responsible drinking for many years as we have always recognised that it is a hugely important issue,’ said Bob Price, Policy Adviser to the National Association of Cider Makers. ‘We remain ready and willing to play a full part, alongside our drinks industry colleagues, in working with Government to seek effective solutions.’

The industry is already contributing to a separate initiative by the Scottish Government in Fife. 

‘The Government is due to issue its consultation document on its proposed mandatory guidelines for England. All those involved in the production and resale of alcohol and other stakeholders will have 12 weeks to respond,’ said Bob.

‘NACM, along with other producer organisations will be examining the content of the proposed code with a view to responding when it is released and entering into the discussion process in the spirit of cooperation.’

The Government’s objective is to achieve the long term reduction in alcohol related illness and crime... whilst ensuring that people are able to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly.

The strategy is designed to achieve:

 

Bob said that success in tackling the issue is likely to come from a combination of tougher enforcement of existing laws, such as action on under age sales (test purchase schemes); closure of disorderly and noisy licensed premises etc as well as education and communication projects such as Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships which are being awarded a £3 million cash injection to target enforcement activities on specific alcohol-related problems in 190 areas across all police forces. The drinks industry has promised a “multi-millions” campaign to support the sensible drinking message.

Over the past 12 months NACM has been active with other drinks producers in responding to the various government initiatives that have been consulted on.

In each case the NACM has made the point that:

 

For more information on this issue see here.


IN SCOTLAND

A unique collaboration between the Scottish Government, the drinks industry, Fife Drug and Alcohol Action Team and the local community which aims to tackle alcohol-related harm in Fife came with the launch of a groundbreaking pilot backed by Health and Sport Minister, Shona Robison in early May.

The Fife Alcohol Partnership Project, set up to co-ordinate and manage a multi-component and targeted approach to reduce alcohol misuse in Fife, brings together a number of local and national stakeholders including the Scottish Government, DAAT - which includes representatives from the voluntary sector, NHS Fife, Fife Council &  Fife Constabulary - and the Scottish Government & Alcohol Industry Partnership.

The main objectives of the pilot, which it is hoped can be rolled out across Scotland longer-term, will focus on reducing harmful drinking, underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime as well as increasing awareness of responsible drinking and associated alcohol misuse issues.

Initiatives currently being explored include a Community Alcohol Partnership in Rosyth, working with police and local retailers to tackle underage drinking; the introduction of a ‘Strengthening Families Programme’, focusing on reducing family-related risk factors in young people and their parents, a potential partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland on an early intervention programme to raise awareness of healthy drinking, diet and lifestyles for new parents and a unique Social Norms project tailored to a community setting.

See full details of this initiative here

 

© NACM 2008