The Scottish Government is calling on everyone north of the border to try and meet a list of challenges as part of Alcohol Awareness Week, which runs from October 5 to 11.

People are being encouraged to drink water alongside alcohol, keep a diary of their drinking, use smaller glasses, and try to abstain from alcohol for two days in the awareness week.

The Government believes that individuals can have a positive impact on their health by taking modest and easily achievable steps.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "Making small, simple changes to our drinking habits can deliver big benefits and it doesn't have to be difficult.

"That is why we are asking adults of all ages, across Scotland, to sign up to the Alcohol Awareness Week challenge and make positive choices about the way they drink.

"This initiative has brought together government, the alcohol industry, health professionals, sports stars and the voluntary sector to make clear the importance of responsible drinking and tackling alcohol misuse."

Each of the challenges can be individually accepted online at www.alcoholawarenessweek.com, where people are also able to extend the challenges to friends and colleagues.

"We know that too many people in Scotland are drinking too much," added Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland.

"We will be using the week to encourage people to take small steps to cut down their drinking – whether that's having an extra alcohol-free day every week, pouring smaller measures or choosing a lower alcohol drink. It's easier than you might think to make a positive change which will benefit your health in the short and longer term."

To coincide with the awareness week, the BMA has called for regulations to make clear labelling of alcohol units and drinking guidelines mandatory.

"Unfortunately, many people are confused as to how much alcohol is in each drink. This can lead to binge drinking or regularly drinking over and above the recommended allowance, which brings with it a host of social, psychological and physical problems," argued Dr Peter Terry, chairman of the BMA in Scotland.

"Legislation is the only way forward. Labelling on alcohol content and units along with clear guidelines on the daily drinking limits would help people to better understand their own drinking habits and encourage them to make informed choices, rather than being tempted with confusing measures and marketing ploys," he added.

The campaign will be supported by posters across Scotland, as well as an information truck offering alcohol-free drinks, drinking diaries and cups to measure out units.

Yesterday SNP plans to introduce the alcohol off-sales age from 18 to 21 were comprehensively defeated in a Scottish Parliament debate, although the Government insists it will continue to put the proposal forward in a bill.