The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has called on ministers to make alcohol education a key part of the curriculum in schools, after a key announcement today.
Government today said that Personal Social and Health Education will be a compulsory part of the curriculum for 5 to 16-year-olds, a move that prompted the WSTA to ask for a specific focus on alcohol.
Earlier this week the WSTA slammed plans to create alcohol only checkouts in supermarkets.
Following the curriculum announcement, chief executive at the WSTA Jeremy Beadles said “attitudes to alcohol need to change” because, according to a government survey, 15 and 16-year-olds believe purchasing drink is acceptable.
He said: “We welcome the government’s emphasis on the importance of Personal Social and Health Education but it’s time to ensure that alcohol education is given proper time, is relevant to young people and builds on the most successful programmes in the UK and from other countries.”
Asda public affairs manager Guy Mason has been criticised for saying that the retailer would not adopt a minimum pricing on alcohol.
Mason had said that the measure is not what consumers want.
