Drink campaign targets women
Emma Quigley • Published 7 Feb 2012 09:30
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A NEW campaign aims to tackle boozing amongst women.
The Scottish Government's Alcohol Behaviour Change is encouraging women to 'Drop a Glass Size' in 2012.
Figures in the Scottish Health Survey show that around 38 per cent of women regularly exceed daily and/or weekly sensible drinking guidelines.
It is possible for a woman to exceed the weekly guidelines for less than £3.
Around one in 30 female deaths in Scotland is alcohol-related.
The campaign encourages woman to make small changes to the way they drink such as alternating alcohol with soft drinks or water and having two alcohol-free days a week.
The initiative, which also includes a national roadshow, aims to educate Scots about what they're drinking, how much is too much and how they can moderate their drinking.
As part of the campaign a new 'drinking time machine' smart phone app has been developed to show people the shocking affects of regularly drinking too much.
The app is available exclusively from the Scottish Government free for one month and will show users how alcohol speeds up the ageing process.
Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, said: "Evidence shows us that most people who drink alcohol, particularly at home, have no idea of how much they are actually consuming. This campaign aims to show people how small changes to their drinking habits can have a significant impact on their health and wellbeing.
"However I have been clear that there is more that can and must be done. Alongside educational efforts such as this campaign the introduction of the Minimum Pricing Bill is a significant step forward.
"There is a clear link between the price of alcohol and consumption levels which is why we have always made the case for the introduction of a minimum price.
"The support in favour of minimum pricing is now overwhelming, and I hope that this time around Scotland's MSPs will do the right thing and back this policy."
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