ACS Welcomes Government Alcohol Strategy
07 Jun 2007
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the Government’s National Alcohol Strategy, which reviews progress on tackling alcohol related harm since the first strategy published in 2004. The Strategy stresses the need to educate consumers about sensible alcohol consumption, in particular parents and young people; it also identifies a renewed targeted approach to focusing on key risk groups for action to reduce alcohol related harm.
ACS has led the convenience sector in responsible alcohol retailing, especially in the prevention of under age purchases. ACS activity includes:
• advocating the No ID No Sale and Challenge 21 messages, including mailing the industry- wide Under 21 point of sale posters and staff badges to over 30,000 businesses;
• active involvement with the Retailing of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG);
• being a founding member of the leading proof of age scheme CitizenCard;
• holding a board position with the PASS scheme;
• running a series of Off Licence Forums to debate and develop best practice in this area;
• producing a guide to responsible retailing with other industry groups;
• supporting local Best Bar None schemes.
ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, said: “The convenience sector has made major steps forward in responsible alcohol retailing. ACS has taken its leadership role seriously, helping thousands of retailers to strengthen their procedures and training, leading to a significant decline in the level of underage purchases. We will continue to work with our members and colleagues from across the alcohol industry to deliver a continued improvement in standards.”
Mr Lowman highlighted the Strategy’s continued focus on underage drinking:
“We agree with the Government’s view that tackling underage drinking is about more than targeting alcohol retailers. Most under-18s who drink get alcohol from sources other than legal outlets and therefore education of both under-18s and those that influence them is a vital part of the new strategy.
“We also welcome a commitment to review the procedures and data collection surrounding the enforcement of test purchasing. We are increasingly concerned about the lack of clear or consistent operational procedures for test purchasers and also believe that the practice should be conducted and recorded in a manner that is transparent. We will be calling on the Government to encourage consistency in this area.”
The Strategy also set out plans for further study of the link between price, promotions and harmful alcohol consumption.
James Lowman said: “We look forward to making our contribution to the debate about the link between price and promotions and harmful alcohol consumption. We agree with the Government that this debate has to be based on a clear evidential base, and that so far this has been lacking. We do not believe that any pricing policies or promotions that take place within the convenience store sector are irresponsible.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The Alcohol strategy was published in full on 5 June 2007.
3. Under 21 materials are still available to retailers who contact ACS on 01252 515001.
ACS has led the convenience sector in responsible alcohol retailing, especially in the prevention of under age purchases. ACS activity includes:
• advocating the No ID No Sale and Challenge 21 messages, including mailing the industry- wide Under 21 point of sale posters and staff badges to over 30,000 businesses;
• active involvement with the Retailing of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG);
• being a founding member of the leading proof of age scheme CitizenCard;
• holding a board position with the PASS scheme;
• running a series of Off Licence Forums to debate and develop best practice in this area;
• producing a guide to responsible retailing with other industry groups;
• supporting local Best Bar None schemes.
ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, said: “The convenience sector has made major steps forward in responsible alcohol retailing. ACS has taken its leadership role seriously, helping thousands of retailers to strengthen their procedures and training, leading to a significant decline in the level of underage purchases. We will continue to work with our members and colleagues from across the alcohol industry to deliver a continued improvement in standards.”
Mr Lowman highlighted the Strategy’s continued focus on underage drinking:
“We agree with the Government’s view that tackling underage drinking is about more than targeting alcohol retailers. Most under-18s who drink get alcohol from sources other than legal outlets and therefore education of both under-18s and those that influence them is a vital part of the new strategy.
“We also welcome a commitment to review the procedures and data collection surrounding the enforcement of test purchasing. We are increasingly concerned about the lack of clear or consistent operational procedures for test purchasers and also believe that the practice should be conducted and recorded in a manner that is transparent. We will be calling on the Government to encourage consistency in this area.”
The Strategy also set out plans for further study of the link between price, promotions and harmful alcohol consumption.
James Lowman said: “We look forward to making our contribution to the debate about the link between price and promotions and harmful alcohol consumption. We agree with the Government that this debate has to be based on a clear evidential base, and that so far this has been lacking. We do not believe that any pricing policies or promotions that take place within the convenience store sector are irresponsible.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The Alcohol strategy was published in full on 5 June 2007.
3. Under 21 materials are still available to retailers who contact ACS on 01252 515001.