UK: Responsible drinking message getting through - survey
By just-drinks.com editorial team | 19 December 2007
The promotion of responsible drinking in the UK is having a positive effect on the country's drinking habits, according to recent research.
Industry social responsibility body the Portman Group has today (19 December) cited a survey showing that responsible drinking messages appeared on 3bn drinks containers and on GBP150m (US$300.7m) worth of print, poster, cinema and television advertising in the last 12 months.
Quoting figures from the Government's alcohol strategy, published in June, the body said that the number of adult "harmful drinkers" has been falling since 2001, with fewer 16- to 24-year-olds binge drinking now compared to 2003.
"Producers are improving the nation's drinking culture by promoting responsible drinking messages across their marketing," said David Poley, the Portman Group's chief executive. "This commitment to responsible business and consumer education is helping to create a better, healthier drinking culture.
"Despite falling numbers of binge drinkers, too many people still drink excessively," Poley added. "That's why our member companies are investing millions of pounds in the Drinkaware Trust to educate more people about sensible drinking."
Sectors: Beer & cider, Spirits, Wine
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UK: Responsible drinking message getting through - survey
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How hypocritical of the Portman Group. In one breath they say the 24 hour drinking laws are having a negative effect on responsible drinking and in the next breath they are claiming the responsible drinking message as a victory for them.
In my opinion 24 hour laws and the relaxation of drinking hours are one of a mix of initiatives that should have been brought in years ago to contribute to the fight against the timed battle against the last orders bell.
Binge drinking between 10.45pm and 11.00pm have served for years to execerbate the drunken state of people who for 3 or 4 hours previous had been drinking responsibly.
Portman Group get off your soap bix and look at what is REALLY having an effect on peoples drinking habits rather than a nice logo and a message on a bottle. If you tell someone not to press the red button they will always press it. If you leave them to decide they will take the sensible option in more cases than not.
Lets stop the nanny state!!
Bookie said at 4:25 pm, December 19, 2007
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