Alcohol Policy UK

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The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has withdrawn its voluntary code on cheap drinks and happy hours following legal advice, the Morning Advertiser reports.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.

Best Bar None schemes now total 90

In 2007 an agreement was reached between Greater Manchester Police, the Home Office and BII, the professional body for the licensed retail sector, to develop Best Bar None (BBN) nationally. An independent board has now been formed and is currently chaired by Lord Rupert Redesdale. BII's role in Best Bar None is to help and foster future development of the scheme.

The number of BBN schemes is now running at 90, with the Chief Executive John McNamara further promoting their development, an article in the Morning Advertiser reports. However McNamara was keen to highlight that schemes should not become mandatory, and that the emphasis should be on local schemes adapting a bottom up approach. The article also highlighted the paperwork necessary for BBN participation was also being reduced, one of the concerns highlighted by some local authorities regarding the scheme.

However more serious questions have been raised in the past relating to evaluating the effectiveness of the schemes, which have been suggested in some cases as costly and time consuming. An evaluation of Croydon's BBN scheme showed that while some positive partnership outcomes were apparent, a number of issues meant effectiveness was difficult to demonstrate.

For further information on BBN and examples of schemes across the country see here

To visit the official BBN site see here

Portman group responds to criticism about lack of action on cheap alcohol

The Portman Group has responded to recent criticisms against its lack of action over the cheap availability of alcohol in supermarkets, as reported by the Morning Advertiser. The Portman Group's head of communication, Michael Thompson, emphasised the need to change the drinking culture rather than concentrating on price, stating:

We need to change the drinking culture by making drunkenness socially unacceptable. Proper enforcement of alcohol laws by police, better education and a crackdown on the minority of rogue traders who serve alcohol to children should be our priorities.

We have never claimed to talk on behalf of the whole industry. We represent the major drinks producers on social responsibility.

I understand how frustrating it must be for pubs when they are being driven out of business by supermarkets. But our view remains that changing the culture through proper police enforcement of alcohol laws, better education and tackling a minority of rogue retailers should be priorities.

We are not convinced that price is the major determinant in harmful drinking. On the Continent, where alcohol is far cheaper, they don’t have the same health and social problems associated with alcohol.

The UK Government has commissioned an independent review of the link between price, promotions and harm, which is due to report in the autumn. If this does find evidence of a definite link, however, we’d want to be involved in discussions about what could and should be done.

Scotland proposes ban on under 21s purchasing alcohol

A controversial action plan is expected to be launched this week by Scotland's Justice Secretary, Kenny McAskill, raising the legal age of purchasing alcohol from off-licenses and supermarkets to 21. Under 21s would still be able to purchase alcohol in pubs and bars, but the move is aimed to reduce the availability and misuse of alcohol by young people.

However, the New Scotsman reports significant controversy regarding the proposals, particularly from the industry that claimed the move would 'demonise and mystify' alcohol for young people.   The move is reportedly linked to the apparent success of a pilot scheme in West Lothian, which was linked to significant reduction in alcohol related violence and disorder. Along with the increase in the age limit, the Justice Secretary will also reportedly propose setting minimum prices for alcohol and banning three-for-two and buy-one-get-one-free deals. A recent Times article looks further at the proposals and possible implications.

The new tough line may be defended by the Scottish government's announcement earlier in the year that they would invest £25 million in the screening, prevention and treatment for alcohol misuse.

1 in 3 councils expect to use Alcohol Disorder Zones

A survey carried out by the Local Government Association (LGA) has found varying levels of expected use of Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) by local authorities. In a press release from the LGA, it was announced:

The survey of 182 councils in England and Wales, carried out by TNS for the Local Government Association, found that 33% were not going to adopt ADZs, 34% were going to and 33% were still to decide. The survey also revealed that almost a quarter of councils (24%) said they expected to recoup the costs of operating ADZs through the charging regime, while 41% said they did not.

However there has been significant scepticism over the expected benefits of ADZs, with warnings over the impact coming from both the media and representatives of the night time economies, such as from a senior business leader in Liverpool.

Off license pilot banning sales to under 21's reportedly a success

A scheme in West Lothain, Scotland has reduced violence and vandalism calls by 50%, a BBC article reports. The findings are based on a 6 week period in which alcohol sales to under 21's were banned and anyone under 25 would be asked for identification. However the chief inspector for the area reported that whilst the findings were very positive, they needed further consideration in the context of other changes since the previous year such as the development of neighbourhood policing.

Concerns raised over Alcohol Disorder Zones

The Telegraph reports a parliamentary committee has said Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) 'will fail' in their aim to curb alcohol related crime and disorder. ADZs were introduced as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006  to help local authorities to combat alcohol related disorder following changes brought about by the Licensing Act 2003.

ADZs are due to be launched this year, but the House of Lords report has accused the scheme of being 'unduly bureacratic' and unclear. No ADZ schemes appear to be have been launched yet although other powers, such as police directions to leave powers, are being used.

Female drink offences 'soar' shows channel 4 news

A report by channel 4 news has shown that drink offences by women have increased by as much as 1000%, according to figures obtained from police forces across the country. The Guardian reports this equates to an overall 50% rise over the last five years. The findings  follow the recent announcment that alcohol fuelled violence by women has risen 60% in Scotland. In response to channel 4's findings, Mike Craik, chief constable of Northumbria police expressed the need to look further towards reviewing the pricing of alcohol, discounting promotions and advertising as well as further action on underage drinking. Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern highlighted that promoters are still targeting young women with drinks promotion and cheap alcohol, as the industry has not passed on increases in alcohol duty to the consumer.

In response the Home Office said it would be launching a further multi-million pound alcohol campaign in the summer.

Minimum pricing for alcohol? The debate hots up..

As Government ministers consider options for setting minimum prices on alcohol, the debate is hotting up amongst the industry and public alike as to whether such a move would make any difference, or is  politically acceptable. This month the Daily Telegraph suggested that preparations to bring in minumum pricing are underway.  However it understood that minsters are still only considering such options and awaiting further reviews as to the effectiveness and impacts of such policies.

The government would be required to make an exception to the Competition Act of 1998 which would require "exceptional and compelling reasons for public policy". The Office of Fair Trading has indicated that this would be possible given the extent of alcohol realated harm in the UK and the criticism surrounding supermarkets for continuing to sell alcohol as 'loss leaders'.  Naturally the idea is not short of critics.  Rehearsing the familiar arguments against price rises, Gavin Partington of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, in an artcicle published in Off license News said:

“If pricing was an issue then why aren’t there more problems in other countries with lower taxes on alcohol?

We’ve never denied there’s a problem with alcohol abuse, but it’s a minority of people. The vast majority, who drink sensibly in the comfort of their own homes, should not be punished.”

A page on the BBC website titled Should there be a minimum price for alcohol? also attracted a large volume of comments with a wide range of views.

 

Seminar on alcohol licensing and drinking culture

A seminar entitled Alcohol Licensing: café culture or city centre chaos? takes place next month on the 7th May in Enfield to look at the debates around current licensing policy and its impact. The seminar will consider a range of research including the recently released report Implementation of the Licensing Act 2003: A National Survey which closely examines the findings of national research on the impacts of the licensing act. This follows the recent  review of the 2003 licensing act.

The National Survey report broadly supports the review in finding that there has not been a consistent impact across the country, and there has been little significant change for better or for worse. However, the National Survey provides a detailed analysis of the challenges and responses facing local authorities and the policy and cultural context of the changes, as well as providing a range of recommendations.

More details

• Middlesex University Criminology Research Centre seminar series
• Alcohol Licensing: café culture or city centre chaos? Betsy Thom, Professor of Health Policy
• Time: 4.30 - 6pm on May 7th
• Venue: Enfield Campus, Queensway, Enfield EN3 4SA; Broadbent Building, room 52