David Cameron today racked up his governments call on drink producers, distributors and retailers to do more in terms of accepting responsibility for a drunk culture in Britain. What about here in Ireland? Who should accept responsibility for public drunkenness and its implications within society. After all alcohol is a restricted product, it is not an illegal one.
1. The Public Drunk. Even minors know that getting drunk and rolling around the place, blocking up A&E, shouting and intimidating etc etc is not right. Fine if over 18's think it's fun but they know it is not right any more than they reckon it is alright for a stranger to come up and bash them in the face. Some things are plain wrong.
What to do?
Educate
Drunk Tank
Community Service
Name and Shame
Ban on Sales? - not a bad idea if everyone was obliged to use ID to purchase but not possible otherwise
2. The Silent Drunk. Big problem this one. A lot of wine these days is being consumed at home. Many, many people are watching over their children in a drunken stupor! How many would feel comfortable having to drive a sick child to the hospital?
What to do?
Educate. Drinking at home above the limits to drive is perfectly acceptable but drinking at home should never include permanent health damage either. Perhaps a greater understanding of Safe Drinking needs to be hammered home? Limits needs to be applied by the drinker and not by society. Society needs to be aware of how ignorant its members actually are and work out a strategy to change that.
3. Producers need to make a safe and reliable product. Then they need to sell and market it in a safe and reliable manner. Safe and Reliable needs to work its way through everything that the producer does. It is not good enough to pretend that production stops at the factory gates. On the contrary that's where responsibility begins.
Example: A bottle of vodka needs to be managed by its producer to the end consumer in a safe and reliable manner. This does mean paying attention to advertising codes not because they are mandatory but because they are necessary. I'm not sure I have ever heard of a producer insisting on tightening up codes or even coming up with new and stronger ones. Why haven't I? This applies to all forms of alcohol production. The ridiculous argument that 'I make a gun but don't have any control on how it is used' is simply wrong. I hate it when drinks industry professionals stoop to use it!
4. Distributors. Producers are often overseas and away from where their product is finally settled into a market. They appoint distributors for many reasons - sales, marketing, ambassadorial, representative, educational, cash collection etc etc. Distributors are the link to the retailer. They need to represent all that the producer stands for. I think its fair to include Safe and Reliable here also.
On the point of advertising and marketing I have a big problem with banning brands from sporting sponsorships simply because they are alcohol related. I have an equally big problem accepting the fact that if a big brand or a distributor has signed up to a 'drinkaware' type of a programme then that's all that needs to be done. Responsibility does not mean ticking off boxes in a questionnaire and paying over your membership fee. No, it should, and must, mean taking a proactive and continuous approach to the ideals in the programme.
5. Retailers. Who is setting the price these days? Who controls margin in the drinks trade these days? Who is in contact with the consumer on an hourly basis. Retailers. These may be publicans, restaurateurs, shop keepers, grocers etc. Publicans accept they have a responsibility and constantly tell us that their premises act as a lever against over drinking. Well that only seems to work up to point at which they tell us that the drunk ones came to them tanked up in the first place. This just doesn't hold water when nightclubs and drunkenness go hand in hand. Don't tell me that Temple Bar is a model of responsible retailing!
NOFFLA, the National Off Licence Association, has attempted to do something. I applaud its efforts. It's Chairpersons web address tells us that they, 'have come a long way from the days where off-licences had a bad name. Thanks to the success of our proactive Responsible Trading in the Community (RTC) initiative, we are now recognised as one of the most responsible of all retailers. As a direct result of championing the responsible retail of alcohol and training our members, we no longer have a negative public image and even the Department of Health recognise we are no longer the problem!' Would that it were so rosy. Granted the initiative needs to be a 'one fix fits all' in a geographically challenged environment but, as I understand it, it's a web based tuition with a multiple choice examination. Does it bring suppliers into the equation and does it insist that members actively discontinue taking supplies from producers and distributors who do not work towards a responsible agenda? If not then it's all a bit toothless and working to please the Department of Health rather than working to the good of society per se.
Multiple Grocers tell me that they have no duty of care in this regard and that they accept no responsibility for the actions of anyone who purchases alcohol from them. Then they won't allow me to quote them! This is a real big problem. They are now selling about 90% of all take home alcohol in Ireland. They are driving the lowest pricing - Pocket Money Alcohol - ever seen in Ireland. Don't tell me they can blame others for their actions? Seems like they can as they tell me that all they do is stack it up legally and the guy who buys it legally takes over the responsibility at the checkout - legally. Give Me a Break and someone please inform these guys that the debate has gone Way Beyond this level of neanderthal thinking. Climb back into your caves.
There is a Code of Practice in place that all multiple grocers, symbol groups and petrol stations have signed up to. It's on display in all of these outlets. It's poorly policed and is probably the least responsible piece of box ticking you could possibly imagine. It is ludicrous to suggest that so long as you abide by simple rules you are responsible. No, all you are doing is what you are being forced to do! There is a difference between that and actually believing it to be best practice
I do not want central government to impose legislation that allows anyone in the drinks trade to shirk their responsibility. Taking booze out of the aisle does nothing at all. No, I want central government to stand up and Assign Responsibility and to impose very severe sanctions for anyone who thinks he or she is immune. We need to continue to develop as a society. Within that we need to understand the place alcohol has and how to use it well and how to use it properly.
We can't do that by working to a health policy alone. It is doubtful whether a minimum pricing model will work either. Neither can we do it working to a centralist policy. We can only do it slowly and purposefully with a strong emphasis on education in an inclusive environment where ALL stakeholders work together.
What to do?
Educate
Drunk Tank
Community Service
Name and Shame
Ban on Sales? - not a bad idea if everyone was obliged to use ID to purchase but not possible otherwise
2. The Silent Drunk. Big problem this one. A lot of wine these days is being consumed at home. Many, many people are watching over their children in a drunken stupor! How many would feel comfortable having to drive a sick child to the hospital?
What to do?
Educate. Drinking at home above the limits to drive is perfectly acceptable but drinking at home should never include permanent health damage either. Perhaps a greater understanding of Safe Drinking needs to be hammered home? Limits needs to be applied by the drinker and not by society. Society needs to be aware of how ignorant its members actually are and work out a strategy to change that.
3. Producers need to make a safe and reliable product. Then they need to sell and market it in a safe and reliable manner. Safe and Reliable needs to work its way through everything that the producer does. It is not good enough to pretend that production stops at the factory gates. On the contrary that's where responsibility begins.
Example: A bottle of vodka needs to be managed by its producer to the end consumer in a safe and reliable manner. This does mean paying attention to advertising codes not because they are mandatory but because they are necessary. I'm not sure I have ever heard of a producer insisting on tightening up codes or even coming up with new and stronger ones. Why haven't I? This applies to all forms of alcohol production. The ridiculous argument that 'I make a gun but don't have any control on how it is used' is simply wrong. I hate it when drinks industry professionals stoop to use it!
4. Distributors. Producers are often overseas and away from where their product is finally settled into a market. They appoint distributors for many reasons - sales, marketing, ambassadorial, representative, educational, cash collection etc etc. Distributors are the link to the retailer. They need to represent all that the producer stands for. I think its fair to include Safe and Reliable here also.
On the point of advertising and marketing I have a big problem with banning brands from sporting sponsorships simply because they are alcohol related. I have an equally big problem accepting the fact that if a big brand or a distributor has signed up to a 'drinkaware' type of a programme then that's all that needs to be done. Responsibility does not mean ticking off boxes in a questionnaire and paying over your membership fee. No, it should, and must, mean taking a proactive and continuous approach to the ideals in the programme.
5. Retailers. Who is setting the price these days? Who controls margin in the drinks trade these days? Who is in contact with the consumer on an hourly basis. Retailers. These may be publicans, restaurateurs, shop keepers, grocers etc. Publicans accept they have a responsibility and constantly tell us that their premises act as a lever against over drinking. Well that only seems to work up to point at which they tell us that the drunk ones came to them tanked up in the first place. This just doesn't hold water when nightclubs and drunkenness go hand in hand. Don't tell me that Temple Bar is a model of responsible retailing!
NOFFLA, the National Off Licence Association, has attempted to do something. I applaud its efforts. It's Chairpersons web address tells us that they, 'have come a long way from the days where off-licences had a bad name. Thanks to the success of our proactive Responsible Trading in the Community (RTC) initiative, we are now recognised as one of the most responsible of all retailers. As a direct result of championing the responsible retail of alcohol and training our members, we no longer have a negative public image and even the Department of Health recognise we are no longer the problem!' Would that it were so rosy. Granted the initiative needs to be a 'one fix fits all' in a geographically challenged environment but, as I understand it, it's a web based tuition with a multiple choice examination. Does it bring suppliers into the equation and does it insist that members actively discontinue taking supplies from producers and distributors who do not work towards a responsible agenda? If not then it's all a bit toothless and working to please the Department of Health rather than working to the good of society per se.
Multiple Grocers tell me that they have no duty of care in this regard and that they accept no responsibility for the actions of anyone who purchases alcohol from them. Then they won't allow me to quote them! This is a real big problem. They are now selling about 90% of all take home alcohol in Ireland. They are driving the lowest pricing - Pocket Money Alcohol - ever seen in Ireland. Don't tell me they can blame others for their actions? Seems like they can as they tell me that all they do is stack it up legally and the guy who buys it legally takes over the responsibility at the checkout - legally. Give Me a Break and someone please inform these guys that the debate has gone Way Beyond this level of neanderthal thinking. Climb back into your caves.
There is a Code of Practice in place that all multiple grocers, symbol groups and petrol stations have signed up to. It's on display in all of these outlets. It's poorly policed and is probably the least responsible piece of box ticking you could possibly imagine. It is ludicrous to suggest that so long as you abide by simple rules you are responsible. No, all you are doing is what you are being forced to do! There is a difference between that and actually believing it to be best practice
I do not want central government to impose legislation that allows anyone in the drinks trade to shirk their responsibility. Taking booze out of the aisle does nothing at all. No, I want central government to stand up and Assign Responsibility and to impose very severe sanctions for anyone who thinks he or she is immune. We need to continue to develop as a society. Within that we need to understand the place alcohol has and how to use it well and how to use it properly.
We can't do that by working to a health policy alone. It is doubtful whether a minimum pricing model will work either. Neither can we do it working to a centralist policy. We can only do it slowly and purposefully with a strong emphasis on education in an inclusive environment where ALL stakeholders work together.
Kevin, I agree with you. We are getting close to a cross roads; we can either go down the restrictive route similar to the Nordics (high price, state controlled, no promotion) or we need to start acting responsibly.
ReplyDeleteMost of the commentary focuses purely on alcohol and its negative effect. I think if we take a step back and look at our. One of the key differences between northern and southern european countries is that the Med countries by and large consumer most of the alcohol with food.
We could start by educating our young about food, local produce, taste, flavour, authenticity. These values could then be transferred to premium alcohol products that fit in with the consumption of food. Premium wines, beers and spirits.
Pick a town such as Celbridge, visit the local schools, talk food, create passion, excitment and respect. I think the alcohol issue would start addressing itself.
Paul