How many units in YOUR drink? - BBPA unit-awareness poster campaign begins

The British Beer & Pub Association has revealed the first designs in a new national campaign to raise awareness among pubgoers over the number of units in their favourite drinks. The move follows a commitment under the new Public Health Responsibility Deal agreed between Government and alcohol retailers, with the BBPA pledging to promote much more visible alcohol unit information for consumers.

Newly designed posters, tent cards and beer mats featuring the slogan ‘how many units in your drink?’ are being piloted in selected BBPA member pubs over the summer, after which the materials will be available for pubs to order on a wider scale. The poster adopts a ‘2-2-2-1’ approach, to show the units in a typical pint of 4% abv beer, a typical 330ml bottle of 5% beer, a 175ml glass of 12% wine, and a 25ml single of a 40% spirit.

The final designs follow extensive research conducted with consumers and retailers in partnership with alcohol education charity Drinkaware. They reflect the research findings, which showed that pubgoers want clear information on the number of units in typical drinks in a way that presents the facts without adopting a nannying approach.

The BBPA says it has a strong track record in delivering successful awareness campaigns in pubs such as its Challenge 21 poster campaign which, in the past five years, has 90% recognition in its target group, according to polls.

Andrew Lansley MP, Secretary of State for Health, comments: “This is another example of the Responsibility Deal giving people the information to make their own choices about their health and lifestyle.

“Everyone should drink responsibly and within the recommended alcohol limits. Women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day; and men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day.

“I look forward to seeing the evaluation of this summer’s pilot and to a successful national roll-out to consumers across the country.”