SABMiller and the BII help bar staff fight against under-age sales

The 2012/13 Scholars Programme will be inveiled on Tuesday 22 May at a reception at the House of Commons. Its key objectives are to eradicate sales of alcohol to people under-18 and to anyone drunk through the BIIAB Level 1 Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing.

SABMiller originally launched its Scholars Programme in 2009 in partnership with BIIAB. The brewery has invested £280,000 since then.

BIIAB director Cathie Smith said: “This is really good news. We have ambitious plans for the partnership in the coming year, and will be targeting 10-12 licensing authorities in England and Wales where there is a high density of licensed premises.

“The continued sponsorship of SABMiller gives greater flexibility in offering the Level 1 Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing to support licensing objectives and the employability of individuals in the sector.”

Christine Thompson, manager of UK government relations at SABMiller, added: “The Scholars Programme is an important part of our approach to discouraging irresponsible drinking, because it gives people who sell alcohol in bars and shops the knowledge and the strategies they need to prevent under-age sales and identify the signs of drunkenness and other forms of intoxication.

“By intervening before an illegal sale of alcohol takes place, bar and counter staff can prevent irresponsible and harmful drinking. And they support the aims of organisations such as Pubwatch and Drinkaware that promote safe, sociable consumption.”