Safe. Sensible. Social. Selling alcohol responsibly
A consultation on the new code of practice for alcohol retailers
The consultation - Safe. Sensible. Social. Selling alcohol responsibly - asks for your input on our proposals to stop alcohol-related crime and reduce the harm alcohol misuse does to people’s health that costs the UK up to £13bn every year.
Title: Safe. Sensible. Social. Selling alcohol responsibly
Author: Home Office
Number of pages: 83
Date published: May 2009
Availability: View consultation paper on the Home Office website
Key proposals
The proposals include:
- a mandatory code of practice for pubs, clubs and supermarkets
- banning promotions such as 'all you can drink for £10', speed drinking competitions and 'dentist’s chairs' - where alcohol is dispensed directly into the mouths of customers
- making sure bars, pubs and clubs offer single measures as well as doubles for spirits, and both small and large glasses of wine
The paper suggests that alcohol retailers display information about the alcohol unit content of drinks, and supermarkets and convenience stores display information on the health impacts of alcohol.
New mandatory conditions for retailers
The consultation suggests a small number of mandatory conditions for alcohol retailers, as well as new powers for local authorities to help them deal with problem sellers.
Those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a range of consequences, including losing their licences, having additional tough conditions imposed on their licences, or if convicted, a maximum £20,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment.
Secondary conditions target problem areas
Additional conditions are being proposed to deal with ‘hotspots’, where two or more sellers in one area are clearly associated with alcohol-related crime and disorder.
These conditions will give local councils more power to take actions including:
- restricting happy hours or pub crawl promotions
- banning irresponsible bulk buy promotions
- enforcing the Challenge 21 policy - where anyone who looks under 21 must produce proof of age to buy alcohol
- banning glass containers altogether, or ensuring that glasses are collected
- making door staff check for weapons and drugs during times when alcohol-related crime is most likely to occur
No minimum unit price
We have decided not introduce a minimum unit price, as it would unfairly punish the sensible majority of responsible drinkers. However the consultation commits to conducting further research into the issue.
What do you think?
We'd like to know what you think about these issues.
Please take a few minutes to download and read the consultation, and if the issues involved are important to you, reply to some of the questions it asks.
Last update: Wednesday, May 13, 2009