Nhs And Scottish Rugby Team Up For Alcohol Awareness Week

Scottish Rugby and NHS Lothian teamed up today to support Alcohol Awareness Week (4-10 October), a national campaign aimed at encouraging people to drink responsibly.Held at the home of Scottish Rugby, Scotland internationalists Ross Rennie and Jim Hamilton demonstrated how sport and physical recreation can help you get more out of your day.Speaking from the running track at the home of Scottish Rugby, back-row forward Ross Rennie said: “Participation in sport and regular exercise can help you get a lot more out of your day, week and weekend, whether it’s at home, at work and with friends or family.”Small changes to the way you drink and the amount of exercise you do can make a big difference to the way you feel the next day and to your long-term health.”Next month thousands of supporters will head for Murrayfield for the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests and Scottish Rugby will again be reminding fans of the importance of drinking responsibly.Dr Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian added: “Drinking is having a serious affect on the health of the Scottish population. Scotland has the fastest growing cirrhosis rates in the world. We know alcohol consumption is too high so in general people need to drink less and be aware that help and support to cut down is close at hand.”Exercise and leisure activities are very effective in helping people with a range of health issues, including alcohol. We run a number of groups to help people who have had serious alcohol issues to cope and improve the quality of their lives.” Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: “Alcohol Awareness Week is a great chance for everyone to consider the impact that drinking alcohol is having on their lives. The colourful campaign posters really help to highlight the fact that you can get more out of your work, family and social life if you drink sensibly.”As a Government, we are committed to rebalancing Scotland’s relationship with alcohol because we think excessive consumption is holding our country back. Alcohol Awareness Week is an opportunity for all of us to consider whether alcohol is having a positive or negative effect on ourselves and people around us.”For further information, tips for responsible drinking, and ideas as to how you can get involved in Alcohol Awareness Week, go to www.alcoholawarenessweek.com.Alcohol Awareness Week (AWW) is a joint initiative from the Scottish Government’s partnership agreement with the alcohol industry.As part of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week, Scotland is being urged to ‘Get More Out Of’ their day, week and weekend; at home, at work and with friends or family by making positive lifestyle choices, changing their drinking habits and drinking more responsibly. The sale of alcohol at Murrayfield StadiumA change in the licensing legislation for Scotland rugby internationals was proposed by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, in June 2007 after a full report was submitted by the Lothian and Borders Police Licensing Section to the local Licensing Board.Two years ago (September 2007) Scottish licensing laws were relaxed to allow the sale of alcohol at rugby matches at Murrayfield and Firhill Stadium. Profits generated from alcohol sales inside the home of Scottish Rugby are reinvested into community rugby. Last season£100,000 was channelled directly into the development of rugby nationwide as result.