Happy hours are here again?

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has withdrawn its voluntary code on cheap drinks and happy hours following legal advice, the Morning Advertiser reports. It has been three years since the code was originally introduced, supporting the case that the industry are capable of self regulating. However there are reportedly serious concerns from within the industry given the overdue release of the KPMG report on the industry's use of voluntary codes, which will inform ministers' decision as to whether impose further laws to control the pricing and availability of alcohol.

In response to the withdrawal of the code, Mark Hastings of the BBPA said:

"We are currently taking legal advice on the status of the BBPA code.

"It's widely recognised that pubs have made enormous strides to tackle irresponsible promotions and we are confident they will continue to operate responsibly."

When asked about the timing of the withdrawal, Hastings said:

"The advice at the time was it was fine, but very recently other questions have arisen and we have to take them seriously. In the meantime, we have to withdraw [the code]."

The decision is a setback for ministers as they near the conclusion of a cross-departmental review of ways to change the drinking behaviour in Britain by tackling cut-price alcohol and drinks promotions, says the Financial Times, which reports that implementing several options favoured by ministers, including setting a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, poses significant legal challenges.

Withdrawing the industry rules on promotions compounds the legal problems facing policymakers, who were focusing on how to act against supermarkets and shops selling cheap alcohol. After the suspension of the standards, pubs and clubs will have independently to decide whether to avoid certain "irresponsible" promotions, rather than sign up to common standards.

Comments

[weary surfer]

Please leave us drinkers alone. we are adults and don't need your nannying. Please GO AWAY