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| Call to revamp alcohol labelling | Call to revamp alcohol labelling |
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| The term "units of alcohol" should be scrapped in favour of centilitres of pure alcohol, the Tories have said. | The term "units of alcohol" should be scrapped in favour of centilitres of pure alcohol, the Tories have said. |
| The party said there was confusion over units and the UK should adopt specific measures, as much of Europe does, to help encourage safer drinking. | The party said there was confusion over units and the UK should adopt specific measures, as much of Europe does, to help encourage safer drinking. |
| They also called for extra information to be given on labelling, including calorie content, as part of a voluntary agreement with the drinks industry. | They also called for extra information to be given on labelling, including calorie content, as part of a voluntary agreement with the drinks industry. |
| But campaigners said the system would work only if it was mandatory. | |
| A voluntary code has been in place since the late 1990s encouraging drinks manufacturers to give details about the number of units in drinks. | A voluntary code has been in place since the late 1990s encouraging drinks manufacturers to give details about the number of units in drinks. |
| Allowing the industry to regulate itself is like a chocolate teapot. You need mandatory regulation Alcohol Concern spokeswoman Alcohol units guide | Allowing the industry to regulate itself is like a chocolate teapot. You need mandatory regulation Alcohol Concern spokeswoman Alcohol units guide |
| But recent research showed that only just over half of all drinks contain unit information - despite an industry pledge last year to improve compliance. | But recent research showed that only just over half of all drinks contain unit information - despite an industry pledge last year to improve compliance. |
| What is more, less than a fifth have advice about sensible drinking levels. | What is more, less than a fifth have advice about sensible drinking levels. |
| The findings come amid rising levels of alcohol abuse - a 10th of the population are now classed as hazardous drinkers. | The findings come amid rising levels of alcohol abuse - a 10th of the population are now classed as hazardous drinkers. |
| The Tories said the public would be much more able to understand a system where the amount of pure alcohol in a drink was clearly set out, despite the fact that a unit is actually one centilitre. | The Tories said the public would be much more able to understand a system where the amount of pure alcohol in a drink was clearly set out, despite the fact that a unit is actually one centilitre. |
| But the proposals were given a lukewarm response by campaigners. | But the proposals were given a lukewarm response by campaigners. |
| Alcohol Concern said it was in favour of more information being given, but added many people were beginning to get a grasp on units. | Alcohol Concern said it was in favour of more information being given, but added many people were beginning to get a grasp on units. |
| A spokeswoman added: "Allowing the industry to regulate itself is like a chocolate teapot. You need mandatory regulation." | A spokeswoman added: "Allowing the industry to regulate itself is like a chocolate teapot. You need mandatory regulation." |
| The proposals were part of a series of policies - many already announced - which were published in the Conservative Party's new public health strategy. | The proposals were part of a series of policies - many already announced - which were published in the Conservative Party's new public health strategy. |
| The document also called for public health funding to be ring-fenced - it is often vulnerable during periods of cuts - extra health visitors and a national School Olympics competition. | The document also called for public health funding to be ring-fenced - it is often vulnerable during periods of cuts - extra health visitors and a national School Olympics competition. |