Industry sets out new drinks code

The biggest names in the drinks industry yesterday unveiled a new code of conduct designed to curb Britain's chronic problems with alcohol. Landlords are being issued with a new code of conduct to tackle Britain's alcohol problems.

They claimed the guidelines would ensure that landlords promote a "sensible drinking message" that will reduce dramatically the alcohol-fuelled violence that is the scourge of town and city centres at the weekend.

But a leading alcohol charity last night poured scorn on the new code and said it lacked "teeth" as it did not carry the threat of harsh penalties for businesses that failed to comply. Alcohol Concern's chief executive, Srabani Sen, said: "The guidance needs to have teeth. It needs to have sanctions for not complying. It is very important that the industry themselves act to clamp down on bad practices."

The drinks industry code launched in Manchester yesterday was developed in association with the government. It sets out measures to ensure that alcohol is advertised, marketed and sold responsibly.

In its eight guiding principles, the code reminds the drinks industry that it must not promote its produce to under-18s, make claims that alcohol can improve someone's social, sexual or physical performance and it must actively discourage people from illegal activities, including drink driving.

So far 16 industry bodies from across the UK, including the Scotch Whisky Association, representing pubs, bars, shops and restaurants have signed up.

The launch of an industry code of conduct comes in the wake of farcical scenes in the Scottish Parliament as MSPs plunged Scotland's licensing laws into confusion.

Despite a pledge to redraw the law to combat binge drinking and alcohol- fuelled violence, the politicians ultimately voted for 24-hour pub opening while restricting by two hours in the morning the times alcohol can be sold in shops.

Campaigners reacted with dismay, claiming that three years of consultation and debate had been ignored as MSPs had ultimately voted against the majority views of the drinks industry.

Paul Goggins, a Home Office minister, said: "The industry has a clear responsibility to ensure that bars, off-licenses, supermarkets and clubs are run in a way that promotes good practice." He warned that legal action might be taken against businesses that flouted the guidelines, although no specific charge has been created to punish a breach of the code.

Alcohol Concern yesterday published its own charter for the drinks industry to stop alcohol misuse. And it called on pub owners to police themselves more strictly after Holyrood's changes to the licensing laws.

The charity said that it wanted licensees to crack down on alcohol sales to drunk or underage customers.

It also urged landlords to rule among themselves to stop "irresponsible" drinks promotions, which have been blamed for binge drinking.

A spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association, which co-ordinated the development of the new code, said the industry was "determined to promote the highest possible standards".

He added: "We recognise that we have a role to play in addressing alcohol misuse, and this shows our commitment to working with the government to tackle these problems."

19-Nov-05 ~ Scotsman.com