The drive to re-balance Scotland’s relationship with alcohol was boosted this week with a bold new industry collaboration.
Respected UK alcohol industry regulator and social responsibility body, the Portman Group, has fully joined the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership after many years of informal cooperation.
The new arrangement will see a greater degree of resource and expertise being shared to address both organisations’ aims of promoting responsible drinking and reducing alcohol harm in Scotland.
Commenting, John Timothy, CEO of the Portman Group, said:
“As the UK’s alcohol industry regulator and social responsibility body it is a natural step to deepen ties with our partners in Scotland. Whilst there has been much progress, we must all work together to ensure declines in harm continue, protecting the most vulnerable whilst supporting the moderate majority of Scots who choose to drink responsibly”.
The SAIP’s Douglas Meikle added: “We are delighted the Portman Group has joined the Partnership. Their input and expertise will allow us to do even more to reduce harmful drinking in Scotland and promote the sensible use of alcohol as part of a healthy lifestyle.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Nicola Bates, Portman Group External Affairs Director
07730 525 701 or comms@portmangroup.org.uk
Notes to editors:
- The Portman Group was formed in 1989. It is the UK’s alcohol industry regulator and social responsibility body. It has over 130 Code signatories from producers, retailers and membership bodies.
- The Portman Group is funded by twelve member companies: Asahi UK Ltd; Aston Manor Cider; Bacardi; Brown-Forman; Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I; Carlsberg UK; Diageo GB; Heineken UK; Mast-Jäegermeister UK; Pernod Ricard UK, SHS Drinks and Thatchers’.
- The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) is a partnership of alcoholic beverage producers and representatives of the on-trade and off-trade in Scotland which includes:
- It provides a platform for the alcohol industry to promote responsible drinking and contribute towards tackling alcohol-related harm.
- In addition to this campaign, the SAIP runs three major programmes, namely the promotion of the 125ml wine measure in the on-trade, the ‘You’re Asking For It’ campaign to tackle proxy purchase and Drinkaware at Work campaign in collaboration with Drinkaware to support employees in making informed choices about their drinking.