This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Criticism for government booze plans
The UK Government’s recently-launched Youth Alcohol Action Plan, which outlines actions to be taken in an attempt to reduce excessive underage drinking, has drawn mixed responses. The plan suggests a number of measures to reduce public underage drinking, as well as underage sales.
The plan, launched this week, proposed that police be given greater powers to “disperse under-18s who are drinking and behaving anti-socially from any location”, and addressed the use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, and Parenting Orders.
In terms of sales of alcohol to minors, the plan recommended the implementation of a two-strike rule for licensees (as opposed to the current three), as well as “tougher sanctions on those found to be breaching licensing conditions”, and other similar measures. The plan also emphasised education of under-18s about alcohol, particularly in the 11-15 year age bracket, and suggested guidelines for establishing “a new partnership with parents.”
In response to the introduction of greater police powers in this regard, Portman Group chief executive, David Poley, commented that “many police forces are woefully slack at enforcing current alcohol laws. Only ten under-18s were prosecuted for trying to buy alcohol during 2006. Until the police consider alcohol laws a priority, giving them new powers is unlikely to make any difference.”
Poley did support greater enforcement of laws prohibiting sales of alcohol to under-18s, saying: “We are pleased that a tougher stance is to be taken against rogue retailers who flout the law by selling alcohol to children. The irresponsible actions of the minority are blighting the reputation of the whole industry.”
The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) welcomed the Government’s plan, with chief executive John McNamara praising its focus on “increasing awareness of alcohol and the dangers of its misuse to young people and to their parents.”
The BBC quoted shadow home affairs minister James Brokenshire describing the plan as “yet another series of gimmicks”, while Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg expressed the belief that “the Government is trying to create great fanfare for a new offence when criminalising people is not always the best way to deal with it.”
Clinton Cawood, 04/06/08