Do you know what you’re drinking? Many Scots regularly pick up a snack and scan the packet to see just how many calories, grams of fat and E numbers they are about to put in their bodies, but few apply the same principle to alcoholic drinks. Who actually asks a barman, how many units are in that pint, or that glass of wine?

Scotland’s first ever Alcohol Awareness Week which took place from 21–27 October 2007,  asked Scots to do just that. Think about what you’re drinking and know your units. By being more aware of how much alcohol you are drinking you can decide how much is too much. Most people know the recommended daily guidelines for women is 2-3 units and 3-4 units for men but few bear this in mind when ordering another at the bar. Did you know that a pint of normal strength lager contains about 2 units of alcohol, and that a large glass of wine can contain more than 3?

This is the first initiative of its kind in Scotland, and is a result of the innovative partnership between Scottish Government and the alcohol industry: a long-term, collaborative approach to jointly tackle alcohol misuse and create a Scotland which recognises that responsible, moderate consumption of alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle. But Alcohol Awareness Week goes further than this partnership alone, and for the first time sees government, the alcohol industry, health professionals and the voluntary sector all coming together to promote a joined up message on alcohol.

All over Scotland, events were held and all kinds of useful information made available, to get us talking about units of alcohol so we are able to make decisions about drinking responsibly.

Alcohol Awareness Week was officially launched by Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health on Monday 22nd October at the National Museum of Scotland and some of the activities which took place all over the country included: 

·         Key messages on over 100 strategic poster sites ascross Scotland

·         400,000 beer mats, along with posters, flyers and tent cards, distributed to over 2000 pubs and clubs throughout Scotland, reaching over 1.5 million customers and around 10,000 staff.

·         Retailers including Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Threshers, The Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Somerfield, Majestic, and Waitrose distributed materials and held in-store events to get the sensible drinking message out to as many people as possible across Scotland.

·         Distribution of promotional materials and organisation of educational events by Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drug Action Teams throughout Scotland, reaching tens of thousands of Scots.

·         Advertising on buses in Ayrshire, Arran, Forth Valley, the Borders and throughout the Lothians and on Glasgow subway stations

·         Interactive stalls at Braehead Glasgow, Overgate Dundee, Mercat Kirkcaldy and The Thistles Stirling shopping centres.

·         Distribution of 250,000 Alcohol Awareness Week unit calculators through a range of outlets, including supermarkets, corner shops, pubs, off-licences, health practitioners and police.

·         Every Army Mess in the country promoted responsible drinking throughout the week.

·         Distribution of campaign materials to 10,000 employees in the Scotch Whisky industry and displayed at industry sites and visitor centres across the county.

·         All 32,000 Big Issue readers received an alcohol 'unit calculator'

So get to know your units and find out how to enjoy a drink without risking your health. Cheers!

For more information visit, http://www.alcoholawarenessweek.com