THE Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is joining forces with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) to address underage drinking across Scotland.
SWA has announced it will provide £300,000 of funding over the next three years through the Scotch Whisky Action Fund.
CAPs adapt to local requirements, with a focus on three strategies to support the reduction in alcohol harm.
The strategies include creating positive activity for children and young people, providing alcohol education in schools and for parents, and conducting retail training to prevent underage sales and proxy purchases.
The funding from SWA will be used to establish CAPs in areas throughout Scotland that have been identified has ‘high harm’.
CAPs have previously proven their impact with 250 CAPs established across the UK achieving an average of 62% reduction in regular drinking among 13 to 16-year-olds and a 42% reduction in youth alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
They have also seen a 77% decrease in proxy purchases.
Chief executive of the SWA, Mark Kent said: “The Scotch Whisky industry is committed to promoting safe, responsible consumption of alcohol, and tackling underage drinking.
“Our new partnership with Community Alcohol Partnerships will help to support delivery of this targeted intervention, marking an important and valuable development in the industry’s wider commitment to tackling alcohol harm.”
Derek Lewis, chair of CAPs, added: “Although alcohol consumption by children has declined for many years, more recent data has shown an increase and Scotland still has one of the highest rates of alcohol harm among children and young people internationally.
“The existing Scottish CAPs have already demonstrated real success in reducing these harms by helping local communities introduce action plans tailored to their own needs.
“We aim to accelerate the establishment of CAPs in other high harm areas of Scotland and so help our children grow up with well-informed and responsible attitudes to alcohol.”
