Mandatory conditions announced for sale of alcohol in pubs

19th January 2010, 10:57am

The government has announced proposals that could see mandatory conditions imposed on the way alcohol is sold in pubs and supermarkets.

Promotions such as speed-drinking competitions, women-drink-free and all-you-can-drink deals will be banned under the rules. Smaller measures of beers, wines and spirits will be made available to drinkers in pubs.

Health secretary, Alan Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that minimum alcohol pricing could still feature on the government's agenda. He said the government must be cautious with any decision about pricing: "We don't want to ensure that people on good incomes can just carry on as normal but responsible drinkers on low incomes are hit."

The British Beer and Pub Association called the proposals "lop-sided" and "unbalanced".

Chief Executive Brigid Simmonds, said: "We have consistently supported legislation to crack down on irresponsible promotions in pubs and supermarkets. However, with nearly 70 per cent of all alcohol now sold through supermarkets, the pub-centric measures announced today are lop-sided and unbalanced.

"Pubs are struggling and the country is in recession. This is not the time for the Home Office to be burying business in yet more unnecessary red tape. All the powers needed to deal with problem premises already exist. The trouble is poor enforcement of the current laws. Just adding to that pile is unhelpful.

"As a population, we should be encouraging young people to drink in properly supervised premises like pubs. Pubs are at the heart of responsible retailing and are being demonised because this is easy, in terms of legislation. What we need are targeted policies which deal with personal responsibility, aimed at the 10% of the population who drink 40% of all alcohol."

Related Articles:

• 02 Sep 2010 - Minimum alcohol price for Scotland to be set at 45p

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