Blair calls for responsibility

Alcohol Harm Strategy Report fires first warning shots

THE LONG AWAITED Alcohol Harm Strategy Report from the government has been released with plans to forge new partnerships with the health and police services, the drinks industry and communities to combat a range of problems which the report says are caused by alcohol misuse.

"Millions of us can enjoy drinking with few, if any, ill effects.  Indeed, moderate drinking can bring some health benefits," Prime Minister Blair said in his foreword.

"The aim has been to  arget alcohol related harm and its causes without interfering with the pleasure enjoyed by millions who drink responsibly."  The report singled out several areas where work is to be done – local authorities, the police, health and prison services and schools but, "working with the [drinks] industry is … at the heart of this strategy," said the report; a statement reiterated by the Prime Minister in his statement.

"For the drinks industry, the priority is to end irresponsible promotion and advertising; to better ensure the safety of their staff and customers and to limit the nuisance caused to local communities," says Mr. Blair.

While there was praise for some – Cains Brewery won a recommendation for its  commitment to displaying alcohol units on each bottle – there were also criticisms.  "The industry needs to go beyond complying with its statutory responsibilities, to setting high standards of socially responsible practice," the report stated.

"Whilst there are many excellent initiatives, corporate responsibility in the alcohol industry is currently patchy and not well co-ordinated," it continued.  Measures to affect the industry include a social responsibility charter, which should ensure tighter controls over advertising, sensible drinking messages on all packaging, a contribution scheme to help address alcohol misuse and policy changes for onand off-licensed retailers to include the possibility of fines for those who serve drunks.

Despite the criticisms, however, the industry-funded body to promote sensible drinking, the Portman Group, was upbeat.  "I am pleased that the government has recognised that it can  uild on the good practice already in place amongst leading companies within the industry. The industry must do even more to deliver against the tough targets set out in the strategy, or face government action," says Jean Coussins, chief executive of the Portman Group.

"Continued compliance with The Portman Group’s Code of Practice on the naming, packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks is essential to maintaining the government’s confidence in the industry," she adds.