The European Spirits Organisation

Responsible Drinking - Our Position

Whilst responsible and moderate alcohol consumption presents little or no harm to the drinker, and may have health benefits, irresponsible consumption of alcohol can cause serious harm, not only to the individual consumer but to society at large. The European Spirits Organisation - CEPS and its members strongly condemn the irresponsible consumption of alcoholic beverages and to illustrate their level of commitment to this, CEPS members adopted on 1 December, 2005, a Charter on Responsible Alcohol Consumption. The main aspects of this Charter include:

• By 2010, 75 % of all CEPS members advertising will carry responsible drinking messages ;
• CEPS members have agreed to endorse and abide by a universal standard on commercial communications, the European Forum for Responsible Drinking's Common Standards on Commerical Communications. These Common Standards are an integral part of the CEPS Charter on Responsible Alcohol Consumption ;
• New products on the market will undergo greater scrutinty to ensure that they are being marketed responsibly ;
• The industry will promote and increase its funding of Retail and Server Training Schemes and Drink Driving programmes ;
• CEPS members have agreed to work with other stakeholders to help more clearly define what is meant by sensible drinking levels and then to communicate this information widely ;
• Finally, the industry has committed to draw up a comprehensive annual report from now until 2010, emphasising where progress has been made and where improvements are needed vis-a-vis precise targets set.
  
  The European Spirits Organisation - CEPS is also particularly concerned about adressing the following types of drinking behaviour and alcohol consumer groups:
• Under age drinking ;
• Binge drinking ;
• Drinking and driving ;
• Drinking by certain vulnerable groups (pregnant women, people on certain medication, people in dangerous professions).

CEPS members support campaigns and initiatives which promote the responsible consumption of alcohol and highlight the dangers of irresponsible behaviours. A list of such initiatives can be found at http://www.efrd.org/main.html.

It is also important to stress, when talking about responsible consumption, spirits drinks are not discriminated against. The alcohol in spirits is exactly the same as the alcohol in, for example beer or wine. The potential benefits of moderate consumption and the harm caused by irresponsible consumption apply equally to all alcoholic beverages.

Whilst it is difficult to lay down absolute guidelines on what constitutes moderate consumption (this depends on factors such as age, sex, size etc) individuals can make their own calculation using the alcohol consumption calculator at www.portman-group.org.uk/alcohol/214.asp

Other useful links on responsible alcohol consumption include:

• European Forum for Responsible Drinking
• ICAP
• Drinkaware
• National Social Aspect Organisations, a list of which are found at www.efrd.org