Scottish pubs urged to offer 125ml wine measures

Scotland's bars and pubs are being urged to promote the sale of smaller measures of wine.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said 125ml measures should be made more widely available.

The Scottish government and the drinks industry have joined together to promote a voluntary campaign for more responsible drinking.

Mr Matheson said tackling Scotland's difficult relationship with alcohol was one of the government's key priorities.

He said that pubs and bars often only sold wine in medium (175ml) and large (250ml) measures.

This meant that people could end up drinking more than they realised, the minister said.

A 250ml glass of wine is about a third of a bottle, while the smaller 125ml glass contains about one-and-a-half units of aclohol.

Mr Matheson said: "A large glass of wine can contain over three units of alcohol, which is in excess of a woman's daily recommended intake of alcohol and equivalent to a man's recommended daily intake.

"Clearly it is important that people have the ability to choose a smaller measure if they wish and by offering the 125ml measure, businesses are giving their customers the opportunity to drink responsibly."

He said this "simple" step was part of the government's Alcohol Framework, which consists of 40 ways to tackle problem drinking.

The voluntary campaign asks pubs and bars to:

• Put the 125ml option on menus and price lists

• Display posters and signs promoting the 125ml measure for wine

• Ensure staff know the additional 125ml wine measure is available to customers.

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), said his members supported the move.

He said: "Our customers have told us that they welcome increased choice and that the offer of small, medium or large glasses of wine in our premises will make them think more about the amount of alcohol they are consuming."