A NEW campaign designed to remind drinkers to act responsibly during the festive season has been launched in the Island.
Pubwatch has linked up with the Police Central Alcohol Unit to produce a series of posters aimed at promoting responsible drinking.
The three posters have differing messages including urging pub goers not to get "plastered" and end up in hospital and to encourage women not to let alcohol cloud their judgement and put themselves at risk of sexual assault.
The third poster reminds licensees and bar staff to be wary of oversupplying customers and warns of the potential consequences that could result if they do including a criminal record, fine, loss of income and licence.
All Island Pubwatch chairman Steve McDowell explained: "Running up to Christmas Pubwatch thought it was timely to send a message out to licensees and customers on the Island about the risks of oversupply and over consumption and the potential consequences.
"As drinking habits have changed it is getting more and more difficult to manage licensed premises. Many people drink before they come out making it tricky for licensees to gauge their level of inebriation.
"This campaign reminds them to be vigilant and take extra care and also serves to advise customers that it's in their best interests to stop if the licensee decides they've had enough so we can all have a happy Christmas."
Sergeant Steve Maddocks of the Central Alcohol Unit said: "From a policing point of view licensing standards in the Isle of Man are high and this campaign highlights the stance the trade are taking.
"Its aim is to remind individuals there are legal requirements the licensing trade have to comply with but ultimately people have to take responsibility for their own consumption of alcohol.
"Throughout the Christmas period there will be police patrols that focus on the pubs and clubs as usual at weekends. We want people to have an enjoyable Christmas but also to remain safe."
The Pubwatch Christmas campaign was welcomed by Bill Malarkey MHK member for the Department of Home Affairs with responsibility for the Drug and Alcohol Strategy.
He said: "Drinking excessively is harmful to health to health so anything that makes people think twice before having an extra glass has to be a good thing.
"The fact this campaign is initiated by licensees for the benefit of their fellow licensees and their customers is praiseworthy."
Pubwatch is the licensed trade's equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch and is aimed at promoting responsible drinking in a safe environment.
It was introduced in the Isle of Man in 2001 following the creation of the Constabulary's Central Alcohol Unit and operates five separate schemes – Douglas and Onchan, northern, western, southern and Laxey and Lonan.
Over 120 local premises have voluntarily signed up to Pubwatch and members hold regular meetings to discuss matters arising within their own areas.
