Responsible Drinking: Alcohol and Society Issues
Government Programmes, Health and Social Affairs.
The industry has actively participated in UK Government initiatives, Social Affairs programmes and in the promotion of its Sensible Drinking Message. The industry has welcomed the recommendations in the Government's National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy and shares their concerns. We are determined to play a full part in encouraging, supporting and promoting responsible drinking. The Association is one of the initial signatories to the Scottish Executive & Alcoholic Drinks Industry Partnership Agreement, which was launched in February 2007. The agreement represents a long term commitment by the stakeholders to work to change cultural attitudes to excessive drinking in Scotland.Self-Regulation.
The Association supports the industry's self-regulation of alcohol promotion and advertising, which is covered by the Portman Group's Code of Practice. An independent panel deals with complaints under this Code.Social Responsibility.
In conjunction with Government industry has produced Social Responsibility Standards for the Production and Sale of Alcoholic Drinks in the UK. The standards set out the voluntary Codes of Practice and mandatory regulations under which industry operates. These are designed to prevent the encouragement of alcohol misuse and appeal to under 18s. Broadcast media codes contain specific sections relating to alcohol and all radio and television advertising of alcoholic products is subject to a pre-clearance procedure. The GVA has also produced Guidance for Members on Codes of Practice for producers of gin and vodkaEurope.
At European level the European Spirits Group (CEPS) of which the GVA is a member has adopted its own Social Responsibility Charter addressing the misuse of alcohol. Members from over 25 countries are signing up to the charter.We recognise the need for concerted action to tackle the minority who misuse alcohol and are the cause of alcohol fuelled anti-social behaviour. We seek to counter these misusers, rather than introduce whole population control measures such as increased taxation.
The following documents are available on the downloadable reports section of this website: Social Responsibility Standards for the Production and Sale of Alcoholic Drinks in the UK; CEPS Charter; GVA Principles