Lib Dems call on Government to tackle excessive drinking (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems call on Government to tackle excessive drinking

August 1, 2008 4:17 PM

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, Ann Reid, is calling on the Government to implement tougher legislation to tackle excessive alcohol consumption.

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) had recently withdrawn its commitment to a voluntary code of conduct which bans drinking establishments from selling alcohol through promotions and offers (such as two-for-one) that encourage irresponsible drinking, saying it is unworkable.

This follows a recent report from KPMG reporting frequent, and concerning, practice such as:

- the promotion of alcohol through low price offers

- glamorisation of consuming greater quantities

- encouragement to drink more and faster through shots and shooters being "downed in one"

- sales to blatantly intoxicated people

The Government is in consultation on amending alcohol licensing laws. The BBPA's claim that the voluntary code of conduct is unworkable has increased the pressure on the Government to implement legislation prohibiting the advertising of drinks promotions and offers.

New figures from the NHS show that binge drinking was most prevalent in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. 29% of men and 23% of women in Yorkshire and the Humber reported binge drinking.

Cllr Ann Reid, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said:

"There is an increasing worry about the consumption of alcohol in York and across the country, as figures for last year show that the number of hospital admissions for drink-related incidents in Yorkshire and the Humber were over 19, 000."

"It is now important that the Government gets tough on introducing laws which enforce mandatory legislation which can be implemented effectively by councils, unlike the voluntary code. Legislation may include banning drinks promotions, health warnings on cans and bottles, and smaller measures being served as standard. As it stands, City of York Council has no powers to intervene in licensing laws to prohibit promotional sales in bars and pubs in York. This is yet another example of the Government restricting local powers to deal with local problems."

The Council has recently written to the Government, asking that it introduces such powers to effectively tackle alcohol problems. Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, told the Council: "If evidence emerges that advertising makes a significant impact on alcohol consumption by young people then of course we would ask the regulators to consider further action."

Responding to this, Cllr Reid said: "The Government needs to get real. Drinks promotions are undoubtedly encouraging alcohol misuse and the sooner workable legislation is enforced to tackle this increasing problem, the better."