• Press releases
  • 2012 press releases
    • Drinkaware supports New Year unit awareness initiative
    • Drinkaware responds to Select Committee report on unit guidelines
    • Responding to figures from the Office of National Statistics which reveal an increase in alcohol-related deaths
    • Partnerships theme of the day at Drinkaware Annual Conference
    • Brits falling off the wagon on booze resolutions, reveals Drinkaware
    • Drinkaware responds to Department of Health Change4Life campaign launch
    • Drinkaware responds to the Prime Minister’s comments on measures to reduce alcohol misuse
    • Commenting on BBC One Panorama programme ‘Britain’s Hidden Alcoholics’
    • Drinkaware responds to research linking alcohol in movies and teen drinking
    • Drinkaware campaigns show 'green shoots' of behaviour change
    • Drinkaware's response to ONS stats on drinking
    • Alcohol strategy must address Britain's hidden binge drinkers
    • Drinkaware responds to Government Unit Guidelines review
    • Day and night: alcohol facts on the move with Drinkaware's mobile site
    • Parents are biggest providers of alcohol to their kids, reveals Drinkaware
    • Drinkaware Chief Executive Chris Sorek resigns
    • Drinkaware appoints behaviour change experts ICE to develop their life-skills education programme
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In response to the Prime Minister’s comments on measures to reduce instances of alcohol misuse, Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of alcohol education charity Drinkaware, said:

“As an education charity dedicated to changing the UK’s culture, we fully support the Prime Ministers’ commitment to reducing alcohol misuse in the UK.

“We work with the Government, public health community and drinks industry to help bring about a change in our nations drinking behaviour. In 2011, almost 60 on trade and off trade companies and producers came together with the NUS to support Drinkaware’s £100 million five-year ‘Why let good times go bad?’ campaign, to challenge the acceptability and desirability of drunkenness among young adults and reduce binge drinking.

“Alcohol misuse is caused by a minority, our research shows that 20% of 18-24 year olds show no signs of regret about their actions when drunk*. However, recent results show that with a combined effort, behaviour change is beginning to happen. Independent research among 18-24 year olds shows that after seeing our ‘Why let good times go bad?’ campaign, 56% claimed it made them consider drinking differently and 80% claimed to have adopted at least one of the campaign tips to help them moderate their drinking.*

“Alcohol misuse by a minority can blight relationships, families and communities.  We believe that by working together with the Government, public health professionals and the drinks industry, we can help change our nations drinking behaviour. We are pleased to see this issue high on the political agenda and look forward to seeing the Government’s alcohol strategy.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals.  For further information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk 
• Drinkaware’s ‘Why let good times go bad?’ campaign encourages 18-24 year olds to adopt tips for smarter drinking, including eating a meal before drinking, pacing alcoholic drinks with water or soft drinks and looking after their mates. Young adults saw the campaign messages on London Underground and train station adverts, bus stop posters, town centre adverts and billboards across the UK.
• To help young adults avoid a good night turning bad Drinkaware’s Why let good times go bad campaign has produced a phone app to help reduce alcohol misuse. Text GOODTIMES to 87078 or go to good-times.mobi on your smartphone for tips on how to prevent a good night turning bad and to download Drinkaware’s free Good Times app.

- Create the perfect night out organise an event and invite your friends to be part of it.
- Keep an eye on what you’re drinking, so you’re not “the one who had to leave early”.
- Get tips when you need them most to help stop you ‘tipping over’.
- Find your mates using the GPS tracker, so you never waste valuable dancing time searching for someone.
- Find a safe taxi at home time

Reference

*Independent research conducted on behalf of Drinkaware by Millward Brown. 1000 nationally representative 18-24 year olds surveyed in November 2011 via a web based survey.  All research respondents taking part in the evaluation were shown a selection of the Drinkaware campaign materials via a web based interview and ask to identify which materials they recalled seeing.

Contact:

Kelly O’Sullivan Senior Communications Officer on kosullivan@drinkaware.co.uk / 0207 766 9909 / 07979 844023

Sohila Sawhney Communications Officer on ssawhney@drinkaware.co.uk / 0207 766 9914 / 07917 1354360

Page last updated by

Unknown, 10 May 2012.