Industry questions code proposals

The trade has reacted with predictable scepticism to yesterday’s mandatory code proposals for the sale of alcohol in the UK, with the oft-repeated claim that the government is failing to address the real issues once again at the centre of the argument.

While backing the fight against irresponsible alcohol retailing and anti-social behaviour, trade figures have expressed their belief that more rigourous preventative laws and policing is needed if the code is to have any effect.

The code, which is expected to come into force in two stages over the course of the year if it is approved by parliament, calls for a ban on drinking games, a compulsory requirement to check the ID of anyone under the age of 18 and a blanket ban on promotions such as “all you can drink for £10”.

Responding to the proposals, Wine and Spirit Trade Association chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: “We’ve always questioned whether the mandatory code would address the real issues associated with alcohol misuse but we share the Government’s objective of tackling irresponsible businesses and consumers.

“However, new rules and legislation will achieve little unless there is strict enforcement of existing laws designed to prevent alcohol misuse and associated anti-social behaviour and a policy focus on problem drinkers.

"We need the carrot and the stick. The Campaign for Smarter Drinking, funded by the drinks industry and supported by Government, is challenging the culture of excessive drinking amongst a significant number of young adults. Let’s also ensure the laws in place to tackle alcohol misuse are rigorously enforced.”

The feeling also exists that the code has unfairly targeted the on-trade, while supermarkets have been left largely untouched, despite the widespread belief that the discounted alcohol offered in such stores is fuelling problem drinking in the UK.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, hit out at the Home Office for not seeing the full picture.

“We have consistently supported legislation to crack down on irresponsible promotions in pubs and supermarkets,” said Simmonds.

“However, with nearly 70% of all alcohol now sold through supermarkets, the pub-centric measures announced today are lop-sided and unbalanced.  

“Pubs are struggling and the country is in recession. This is not the time for the Home Office to be burying business in yet more unnecessary red tape.

“All the powers needed to deal with problem premises already exist. The trouble is poor enforcement of the current laws. Just adding to that pile is unhelpful.

“As a population, we should be encouraging young people to drink in properly supervised premises like pubs.

“Pubs are at the heart of responsible retailing and are being demonised because this is easy, in terms of legislation.

“What we need are targeted policies which deal with personal responsibility, aimed at the 10% of the population who drink 40% of all alcohol.”

Simmonds also expressed concern over the code’s requirement for all pubs and bars to offer customers smaller drinks measures, claiming the extra costs involved in purchasing new glasses will not be welcomed by pubs which are already struggling to stay afloat.

“Drink measures have always been driven by consumer choice,” she said. “We’ve always supported that choice, which is why we have successfully campaigned for the introduction of smaller measures for beer, in addition to the iconic pint.

“We have no problem in offering a wider choice of measures, provided there is flexibility. Pubs should be able to offer other measures, without the compulsory purchase of hundreds of thousands of new glasses.”

The key proposals of the mandatory code are:

• A ban on irresponsible promotions such as "all you can drink for £10", women- drink-free deals, speed drinking competitions and "dentist’s chairs".

• Ensuring free tap water is available.

• Ensuring all those who sell alcohol check the ID of anyone who looks under 18.

• Ensuring establishments make available a choice between a single and double measure of spirits and a small and large glass of wine.

Alan Lodge, 20.01.2010

What do you make of the mandatory code proposals? Email debate@thedrinksbusiness.com with your thoughts.