MSP Visits Wemyss Bay Retailer to Highlight Alcohol Awareness Week
West of Scotland MSP, Ross Finnie, has visited SPAR Wemyss Bay to highlight Alcohol Awareness Week (AAW).
Alcohol Awareness Week (4th – 10th October) brings together the drinks industry, health professionals, the voluntary sector and the Scottish Government to help encourage a culture of responsible drinking throughout Scotland.
The campaign headline: ‘How do you measure up?’ encourages people to make positive lifestyle choices by changing drinking habits and drinking more responsibly. Point of sale material has been produced by the Scottish Government for retailers to display in store to communicate the message to the public
During the store visit, David Cunningham, SPAR area manager, outlined the steps taken to ensure SPAR is at the forefront of responsible retailing. Mr Cunningham said: “SPAR takes its responsibilities as retailers of alcohol extremely seriously and have initiated a combination of policies and training programmes to ensure that stores can deal with alcohol related sales and comply with legislation effectively. We understand the importance of fostering a culture of responsible drinking and the need for people to understand how many units of alcohol they’re drinking on a regular basis.”
Ross Finnie MSP said: “I’m delighted to be taking part in Alcohol Awareness Week. A cultural change is needed if we want to curb excessive drinking in Scotland. The support and involvement of retailers are vital steps in achieving this, and I hope that Alcohol Awareness week will encourage people across Scotland to think about their own drinking habits.”
John Drummond, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, visiting the store said: “It is important that MSPs have the opportunity to talk to retailers about responsible retailing and consumption of alcohol. The visit was an opportunity to explain to Mr Finnie the voluntary steps taken by SPAR to encourage responsible drinking, such as Challenge 25.”
Ross Finnie MSP, with David Cunningham of SPAR, John Drummond of SGF and staff from SPAR in Weymss Bay