WSTA’s response to UK government

The WSTA is rejecting the UK government’s proposals for a mandatory code of practice for producers and retailers. In response to the government’s document relating to alcohol abuse and sensible drinking, the WSTA has produced its own document, the White Paper on Enforcement, which demonstrates how current alcohol laws already go unenforced.

The WSTA responded to the government’s suggestions of a blanket mandatory code by saying: "If the government wishes to pursue such a code we should build on successful self-regulation with a co-regulatory approach in which the industry and the government work together to enforce regulations."

The WSTA’s White Paper also condemns a number of other government proposals because the existing ones are currently not enforced properly. The White Paper says: "In the whole of England and Wales in 2006, only eight people under the age of 18 were taken to court for trying to purchase alcohol and only 56 people were cautioned or proceeded against for buying or attempting to buy alcohol for somone under the age of 16."

Furthermore, despite ministers calling for higher fines for refusing to stop drinking, the WSTA describes how not one person has been given a fine of more than £250 since 2004, while the maximum fee of £500 has never been used. 

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the WSTA said: "Tough talk about action to curb underage drinking means nothing if we don’t enforce the laws we have. We do not need more legislation, we need to continue our partnership with the government to create stricter enforcement of our current laws."

The government’s consultation process marks phase two of the UK government’s ‘Safe Sensible Social’ strategy that was launched in June 2007 to address the social and economic problems caused by alcohol abuse. The aim of the consultation and resulting document was to develop an appropriate response to the findings of an independent review.

The review, carried out by Sheffield University, concluded there was “evidence of links between price, particularly for heavy drinkers, alcohol consumption and medical impacts.”

A summary of responses, including that of the WSTA, will be made available within three months. The summary is being touted as a strong indication of whether the drinks industry will become subject to further legislation.

Gabriel Savage (with additional reporting by Jane Parkinson) 15/10/08