Pub licensing reform
The government's plans to liberalise Britain's drinking laws have come under renewed fire from medical experts.
Professor Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Royal College of Physicians' alcohol committee, has urged ministers to accept that the problem of binge drinking needs more than just a law and order solution.
Stakeholder Response: Royal College of Physicians
Professor Gilmore, chair of the RCP alcohol committee, said : "The current government policy focuses too heavily on the aspects of drinking most closely related to law and order issues at the expense of health.
"This approach falls short of meeting the concerns of the medical profession.
"I think the government is taking alcohol related harm seriously, however I believe they are working under considerable constraints due to the massive force of the drinks industry lobby.
"The alcohol harm reduction strategy as produced by the Cabinet Office was cross-cutting but since then I think the focus on alcohol related harm has been lost to some extent.
"The Home Office was given the responsibility of pulling the strategy together but the Home Office inevitably has a much more law and order focus."
Stakeholder Response: Alcohol Concern
Geethika Jayatilaka, director of policy and public affairs at Alcohol Concern, said: "The recent measures proposed by the government to reduce binge drinking go some way to tackle booze-fuelled crime and disorder but they don't offer long-term solutions needed to change our prevailing drinking culture.
"Whilst the proposed measures have the potential to help tackle the symptoms of binge drinking, for example crime and anti-social behaviour, we still have a long way to go in tackling the complex underlying root causes.
"The government must ensure that the drinks industry gets its house in order and play a part in tackling binge drinking.
"We know that lower prices and increasing availability, in bars, off-licenses and supermarkets, has played a part in encouraging excessive drinking. The government's decision to tackle irresponsible promotions by pubs and clubs would be a very welcome move.
"However, developing a code of practice on point of sale promotions would only work effectively if there were sanctions for non-compliance.
"It is still very clear that much of the public are unclear about risks of drinking excessively and often without the information to make informed choices about drinking safety. With average weekly consumption increasing for both men and women, the need for public information has never been greater.
"The government should step back from its current confused proposals that put an industry funded lobby group in control of campaigns to encourage us to drink less. Instead, we urge the government to work on campaigns with a wider body of experts from across the medical, alcohol policy and research community."
Stakeholder Response: British National Temperance League
Barbara Briggs, CEO of BNTL, said: "Professor Ian Gilmore believes that the government is taking alcohol-related harm seriously and here at BNTL we do agree. The government is trying to make serious changes to our licensing laws, many of which are good, but they have succumbed as Professor Gilmore points out to a massive lobby from the drinks industry.
"In the new proposal published this month the government talked of tackling the ‘alcohol fuelled disorder which to too high’. They cite that in 2002/03 1.2 million violent crimes were alcohol related and 44 per cent of all violent crime was fuelled by alcohol. They go on to say that 'one in five violent incidents take place around pubs or clubs' and this carries with it a high crime disorder cost of around £7.3 billion a year.
"They go on later to say in the same paper that there remains 'a number of forms of promotion which are contributing to the problems of binge drinking and alcohol fuelled disorder'. In particular, promotions that encourage people to speed drink over a short period of time.
"Yet who is asked to assist in curbing this phenomena – the Portman Group the 'voice' of the drinks industry. Plus the British Beer and Pub Association who are developing a code of practice on point of sale promotions what will give guidance to owners and operators on banning irresponsible drinks promotions.
"It is not in their best interests to suggest the curbing of these promotions as they will lose money and their aim is to make money for their shareholders.
"BNTL agrees with Professor Gilmore and his call for the government to make a commitment to tackling these issues and not rely on the drinks industry to put their own house in order, since the alcohol harm reduction strategy was published last year they clearly have ignored the recommendations.
"It is now time for the government especially during what we are constantly informed is an election year to begin to enforce the drinks industry to accept their responsibilities of encouraging young people to ‘binge drink’ either by increasing prices or more stringent measures."
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