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SWA chiefs call for better collaboration with Government

Published:  23 July, 2008

It is the job of both the industry and the Government to work together to promote a responsible drinking culture in Scotland.

This is the message from Gavin Hewitt, chief executive at the Scotch Whisky Association today (Thursday).

Speaking at a keynote address at the Scotland's Futures Forum at Holyrood, Hewitt discussed how international experience and wider ranging initiatives could be used to tackle alcohol misuse.

He said: "I'm a firm believer in partnership - that is why the SWA was an enthusiastic founding participant in the Scottish Government/Alcohol Industry Partnership, an initiative that is already delivering tangible results such as last year's highly successful Alcohol Awareness Week.

"SWA members have also put in place a far reaching Code of Practice on marketing and promotion, best practice recognised at EU level, and are rolling out new voluntary labelling to raise alcohol unit awareness."

He also cited recent ONS statistics released last month that showed fewer Scots are drinking to excess.

Robert Madelin, European Commission health official and Diageo GB managing director Benet Slay also both spoke at the event.

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