As Jamaica’s Ministry of Health moves to create a national policy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, manufacturers and distributors of alcoholic beverages say that the development of the policy must involve industry players.
Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen announced last week that the government would be developing a national policy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as well as the advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of alcoholic products, the Sunday Gleaner reported.
The policy is also intended to strengthen the health response to the harmful use, including the push to reduce road traffic accidents, and to monitor and evaluate the public-health surveillance measures.
Dianne Ashton-Smith, head of corporate affairs at Red Stripe, told The Gleaner that while the company supports the government’s move to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, industry players should not be left out of the conversation.
“Tackling harmful use of alcohol requires a collaborative and united response from public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Partnerships can only thrive when there is a broad and regulated private sector able to play its role in improving health and tackling harmful drinking,” Ashton-Smith said, noting that Red Stripe is a strong advocate for the responsible consumption of alcohol.