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All-you-can-drink offers face ban | All-you-can-drink offers face ban |
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"All-you-can-drink" promotions could be banned and compulsory identity checks introduced under government proposals to crack down on alcohol abuse. | "All-you-can-drink" promotions could be banned and compulsory identity checks introduced under government proposals to crack down on alcohol abuse. |
If the plans for England and Wales are approved, bars will also not be able to hold speed-drinking competitions. | If the plans for England and Wales are approved, bars will also not be able to hold speed-drinking competitions. |
Retailers or publicans in breach of the code could be fined or jailed. | Retailers or publicans in breach of the code could be fined or jailed. |
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said there was a "duty to act". The Tories said they would give councils more powers to tackle "problem" bars and clubs. | Home Secretary Alan Johnson said there was a "duty to act". The Tories said they would give councils more powers to tackle "problem" bars and clubs. |
It is estimated that alcohol abuse kills 40,000 people in England and Wales every year, with the annual cost of drink-related crime and disorder in the UK as a whole put at between £8bn and £13bn. | It is estimated that alcohol abuse kills 40,000 people in England and Wales every year, with the annual cost of drink-related crime and disorder in the UK as a whole put at between £8bn and £13bn. |
'Irresponsible' | 'Irresponsible' |
If the government's proposals receive parliamentary approval, they will form a new mandatory code for retailers. | If the government's proposals receive parliamentary approval, they will form a new mandatory code for retailers. |
The key points of the parties' proposals are: | The key points of the parties' proposals are: |
LABOUR | LABOUR |
CONSERVATIVES | CONSERVATIVES |
The Liberal Democrats have already outlined policies to curb excessive drinking, including stopping "irresponsible" promotions by setting a minimum price for alcohol | |
The party also advocates a "one-strike-and-you're-out" policy, where shops would be fined and lose their licence the first time they are caught selling alcohol to children. | |
'Magic bullet' | |
Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had not ruled out the possibility of using pricing measures to make alcohol less easily available, but such a move was not "a magic bullet". | Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had not ruled out the possibility of using pricing measures to make alcohol less easily available, but such a move was not "a magic bullet". |
"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." | "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." |
But Mr Johnson said a minority of outlets ran irresponsible promotions: "These practices have a real impact on society, not to mention the lives of those who just want to enjoy a good night out." | But Mr Johnson said a minority of outlets ran irresponsible promotions: "These practices have a real impact on society, not to mention the lives of those who just want to enjoy a good night out." |
CASE STUDY Barbara Vowles, manager of Chambers, Darlington We have a normal pub and a nightclub. We did have a 69p drink promotion on Thursday nights but we have put it up to £1 for some bottles of beer, vodka and mixer. | CASE STUDY Barbara Vowles, manager of Chambers, Darlington We have a normal pub and a nightclub. We did have a 69p drink promotion on Thursday nights but we have put it up to £1 for some bottles of beer, vodka and mixer. |
I did it to make a stand, to highlight the issue. Other places in Darlington were doing it and we had to fight for customers. | I did it to make a stand, to highlight the issue. Other places in Darlington were doing it and we had to fight for customers. |
I have been in the pub trade for 32 years and it is getting harder. We are competing with the supermarkets - most of us buy our alcohol from the supermarkets so we are still making money despite the cheap prices. | I have been in the pub trade for 32 years and it is getting harder. We are competing with the supermarkets - most of us buy our alcohol from the supermarkets so we are still making money despite the cheap prices. |
Pubs are closing down all the time - the recession and the smoking ban have not helped. | Pubs are closing down all the time - the recession and the smoking ban have not helped. |
I would be in favour of a minimum price for alcohol as it would create a level playing field and people would then come into a pub for the atmosphere or music, not just because it sold the cheapest booze. Read your comments Guide to alcohol units | I would be in favour of a minimum price for alcohol as it would create a level playing field and people would then come into a pub for the atmosphere or music, not just because it sold the cheapest booze. Read your comments Guide to alcohol units |
For the Conservatives, shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said he was "concerned" about the strength of many drinks on the market and that there would be a higher duty placed on these. | For the Conservatives, shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said he was "concerned" about the strength of many drinks on the market and that there would be a higher duty placed on these. |
This, Mr Grayling said, would encourage manufacturers to change, although some "niche products", such as some specialist ciders made by small breweries, would not be affected. | This, Mr Grayling said, would encourage manufacturers to change, although some "niche products", such as some specialist ciders made by small breweries, would not be affected. |
"The problem with minimum pricing is that it affects people who are in no way involved in anti-social behaviour," he said. | "The problem with minimum pricing is that it affects people who are in no way involved in anti-social behaviour," he said. |
"It puts up the price of a bottle of sherry, a bottle of wine, so responsible drinkers will end up paying more." | "It puts up the price of a bottle of sherry, a bottle of wine, so responsible drinkers will end up paying more." |
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "Booze Britain is ruining lives and costing the country billions, but Labour has not only failed to tackle alcohol misuse, it has allowed an epidemic of drink-fuelled crime and illness to take hold. | Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "Booze Britain is ruining lives and costing the country billions, but Labour has not only failed to tackle alcohol misuse, it has allowed an epidemic of drink-fuelled crime and illness to take hold. |
"Now the government is ignoring its own expensive advice and experts, who say the best way to reduce alcohol misuse is to stop booze being sold at pocket money prices." | "Now the government is ignoring its own expensive advice and experts, who say the best way to reduce alcohol misuse is to stop booze being sold at pocket money prices." |
In Scotland, the government is pushing for a minimum price for alcohol to tackle drink-related problems. | In Scotland, the government is pushing for a minimum price for alcohol to tackle drink-related problems. |
Laws requiring young people to prove their age were introduced in the country last year. | Laws requiring young people to prove their age were introduced in the country last year. |
'Just tinkering' | 'Just tinkering' |
The British Beer and Pub Association said it had been asking for legislation to crack down on irresponsible promotions in both pubs and supermarkets. | The British Beer and Pub Association said it had been asking for legislation to crack down on irresponsible promotions in both pubs and supermarkets. |
But spokesman Mark Hastings told the BBC: "What with 70% of all alcohol sold through supermarkets and widespread concern about their promotional prices, the measures announced by the Home Office seem lopsided and unbalanced." | But spokesman Mark Hastings told the BBC: "What with 70% of all alcohol sold through supermarkets and widespread concern about their promotional prices, the measures announced by the Home Office seem lopsided and unbalanced." |
The British Medical Association welcomed tougher rules on promotions as did the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo). | The British Medical Association welcomed tougher rules on promotions as did the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo). |
Commander Simon O'Brien, from Acpo, said a mandatory code for premises could "help people moderate their alcohol intake", but he added: "The reality is that enforcement is only one avenue to bring about change in attitudes and behaviour." | Commander Simon O'Brien, from Acpo, said a mandatory code for premises could "help people moderate their alcohol intake", but he added: "The reality is that enforcement is only one avenue to bring about change in attitudes and behaviour." |
Don Shenker, from campaign group Alcohol Concern, told the BBC the proposals would not prevent people being able to "pre-load" with alcohol from supermarkets, and would not stop pubs and clubs selling a pint of lager for under £1. | Don Shenker, from campaign group Alcohol Concern, told the BBC the proposals would not prevent people being able to "pre-load" with alcohol from supermarkets, and would not stop pubs and clubs selling a pint of lager for under £1. |
"It is just tinkering with the price issue rather than decisive action," he said. "We need a minimum price per unit of alcohol which will affect pubs, clubs, off-licences and supermarkets." | "It is just tinkering with the price issue rather than decisive action," he said. "We need a minimum price per unit of alcohol which will affect pubs, clubs, off-licences and supermarkets." |
Earlier this month, a Commons health select committee report estimated that a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol would prevent 3,000 deaths a year. | Earlier this month, a Commons health select committee report estimated that a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol would prevent 3,000 deaths a year. |