International Alliance for Responsible Drinking: CEOs of Leading Beer, Wine, and Spirits Producers Unite to Support the Rebuilding of the Thriving Cafe, Bar, and Restaurant Culture Missed by Communities

PR84645

LONDON, July 3, 2020, /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented global challenge of protecting

lives while also safeguarding livelihoods and communities. Only a

whole-of-society, united, and collaborative approach can deliver an effective

global response.

As custodians of some of the world's most iconic and popular beer, wine, and

spirits brands, we are determined to play our part in supporting this global

effort, while maintaining our commitment to the hundreds of thousands of people

worldwide that we employ, and the many millions of businesses we support in the

value chain across agriculture, production, distribution, retail, and

hospitality sectors.

The hospitality sector has been among those most severely impacted by shutdowns

around the world, yet it has never been more valued or missed. The sudden

closure of cafes, restaurants, and bars brought into sharp focus not just how

many livelihoods depend on these venues, but also how vital they are to the

social fabric and emotional wellbeing of communities.

Socializing in bars and restaurants has been missed the most, second only to

spending time with friends and family

[https://www.iard.org/press/ALMOST-ONE-IN-THREE-DRINKERS-CONSUMING-LESS-ALCOHO ].

To many of us, the two are intimately linked. Indeed, the sense of occasion

and pleasure of being sociable is so valued that many are prepared to pay more

to go out and enjoy food and drink within these settings, clearly showing that

communities value their social wellbeing alongside their physical health.

By working together, with all key partners, we can help rebuild a safe and

thriving cafe, bar, and restaurant culture that can flourish despite the

uncertain times we currently face. Through a whole-of-society response we can

once again create the welcoming environment that has been missed by many.

Although our individual companies are very different, we share many common

values. We all take pride in the drinks we produce. We want to ensure our

products are consumed responsibly so that, for those who chose to drink them,

it is always a positive and memorable experience.

Harmful drinking is not in our interests; it is bad for consumers, bad for the

communities we serve, and ultimately bad for our businesses. Although there

have been long-term declines in binge drinking, drink driving, and underage

drinking in many parts of the world, there is more that we are determined to do.

As governments allow venues to reopen, we will work alongside retailers and

other business partners to support appropriate physical distancing measures.

We will also use our marketing, promotion of responsible service, and server

training programs to help prevent harmful drinking from threatening the safe

and sociable atmosphere that communities want to enjoy. In addition -

recognizing the rapid growth in online sales and home delivery of beer, wine,

and spirits - we are accelerating the efforts that we announced in January to

develop global e-commerce standards and safeguards for online marketing, sales,

and delivery, and invite digital platforms and delivery agents to join us in doing this.      

As we emerge from this pandemic, we will continue constructive dialogue with

national governments, international organizations, experts, and civil society

to better understand what we can do to raise standards and protect lives,

livelihoods, and communities.

By working together, we can help communities rebuild the thriving and

flourishing cafe, bar, and restaurant culture that is so valued and important

to our social wellbeing.

Signed: Anheuser-Busch InBev, Asahi Group Holdings, Bacardi, Beam Suntory,

Brown-Forman, Carlsberg, Diageo, Heineken, Kirin Holdings Company, Molson

Coors, Pernod Ricard, and William Grant & Sons

PDF -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1199694/International_Alliance_for_Responsible_Drinking.pdf

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/715226/IARD_Logo.jpg

SOURCE: IARD - International Alliance for Responsible Drinking