Alcohol Policy UK

News & updates Oct 2010: pre-loading; social media effect on young people; STIs

'Pre-loaders' are being targeted in a bid to reduce alcohol-related violent crime in Watford, the local Observer reports. Police officers arrive early in the town centre to turn away any visitors judged to have “pre-loaded” before visiting Watford's bars and nightclubs. Police are using powers to seize alcohol and hand out section 27 notices to temporarily ban someone from the area. Westminster council is responding to pre-loading concerns through its licensing policy.

Social media is 'normalising' drunken behaviour, a report in Irish Health says. Fionnuala Sheehan of the Irish drinkaware.ie website said the growing popularity of social networking, video sharing and publishing photos online ‘means young people consider it normal to document their nights out and use social media to let their friends know what they're up to'. Last year the BMA published a report on the effect of alcohol advertising on young people. See recent children and alcohol reports from Alcohol Concern.

Why do record numbers of young people have sexually transmitted infections is explored in this Guardian Focus podcast. Rosie Swash investigates the reasons for the UK's high level of sexually transmitted diseases among 15 to 24-year-olds, which includes perspectives on the role of alcohol.

Police in Northumbria are encouraging people to report anyone buying alcohol for children after two 12-year-olds were bought alcohol. The police ask that 'anyone with information about underage drinking and any concerns that shops are supplying children with alcohol should contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Team on 03456 043 043 ext 69191'. See here.

In other news, a recent feature in Drink and Drugs News (DDN) titled 'The Alcohol debate' (pdf here) provoked a number of responses in the latest issue (see page 8). The Morning Advertiser has published a speech on alcohol policy by industry head Ralph Findley, given at The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) annual dinner. Two new articles are also up on the politics of drinking blog. For regular drugs and alcohol news and press coverage you can follow DS Daily.

Factsheet: Alcohol, crime and disorder in the night-time economy

A new Alcohol Concern factsheet, written by Dr Phil Hadfield (University of Leeds) and Dr Andrew Newton (University of Huddersfield) is now available:

Alcohol, Crime and Disorder in the Night-time Economy [pdf]

The factsheet provides a comprehensive review of the NTE in relation to alcohol and the many interlocking crime and public health issues. It compares national crime and disorder data with the results of street-based surveys and finds important variations - suggesting that people in the NTE drink more than the national average and drink at higher levels than their peers. The factsheet looks in detail at the 2003 Licensing Act and the dilemmas which face local authorities, police and their partner agencies in developing statements of licensing policy and planning local alcohol strategies to achieve safer, more sustainable and welcoming NTE's.

Licensing news & updates Oct 10: code 2nd phase in; trade concerns over licensing reform; new licensed premises figures

Mandatory code 2nd phase in
The 2nd phase of the mandatory licensing code came into force on October 1st - all premises must now have an age verification policy such as Challenge 21 and offer smaller glass sizes. Available measures must include 125ml glass of wine, beer in half pints and either a 25ml or 35ml measure of spirits. Home Office code conditions and guidance here.

However the future of the code remains uncertain - indications suggest the Coalition may scrap the former Government's legislation to make way for new measures in the licensing reform. 

Trade ramps up opposition to Licensing reform
A number of trade organisations have been stepping up action to oppose the Government's Licensing reform for which consultation recently closed. The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has announced a 'fighting fund' to support a 3-stage campaign against the reform; an ALMR briefing paper says the proposed changes are 'unnecessary, unjust and unaffordable'.

The pub trade's Morning Advertiser (MA) has also called for a "peasant's revolt" encouraging licensees to tell their local MP's how "damaging" the changes would be. An article released by The Publican also raises concerns about the reform which could make licensing departments 'responsible authorities', but also reported the Home Office are "looking carefully" at concerns. However some police and local authorities are reported to have welcomed the proposals.

Licensed premises figures 2010
The latest licensed premises figures have been released in the Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Statistical Bulletin 2010 [pdf]. Related documents, tables and annexes can be found here.

News & reports in response: 'Licensed premises hit record high - despite pub closures' Morning Advertiser; 'Round-the-clock drinking licences at record level' BBC, and '24 hour drinking myth exposed' - The Publican. See here for an interesting piece in The Economist exploring the 'evolution of pubs' and a similar BBC comment last year.

More news and reports
A comment on 'Trade unions and the pub' is the latest addition to the Politics of Drinking blog. Paul Walsh, Chief Executive of Diageo UK will sit on a panel of business advisers to the PM David Cameron - see Telegraph and Independent reports. The new Labour leader Ed Miliband has backed pubs against supermarkets says the MA.

Consumption controversies: alcohol policies in the UK

The Royal Geographic Society (RGS) has published its latest policy briefing:

Consumption controversies: alcohol policies in the UK [pdf]

The briefing presents an overview of research against a series of controversial questions and debates:

• Controversy 1: The UK has a drink problem
• Controversy 2: The biggest bingers are in Scotland and the NE
• Controversy 3: Problem drinking is a new phenomenon
• Controversy 4: Has our night-time economy been revitalised by drinking (or are our towns and cities becoming no-go zones)
• Controversy 5: A continental drinking culture is better
• Controversy 6: It is 'safer' to drink at home
• Controversy 7: Children should not drink alcohol
• Controversy 8: Units are not useful as a tool to measure levels of drinking
• Controversy 9: Too much focus is given to treating the effects of alcohol rather than reducing consumption
• Controversy 10: Saving the local British pub is more important than reducing drinking

See here for the research references or the RGS policy briefings page.

Local licensing policy responds to 'pre-loading' concerns

Westminster council, the largest licensing authority with over 3,000 premises, is preparing to restrict the number of off-licenses through a local saturation zone, the Publican reports. Concerns over 'pre-loading', where revellers consume cheaper alcohol before going to pubs and clubs is said to be behind the move to include off-licenses in its 'stress-area'.

Under the Licensing Act, authorities can use Cumulative Impact Policies (or 'saturation zones') to restrict the growth of licensed premises in areas associated with problems. Though intended for restricting growth in on-trade premises, Westminster cited 643 public nuisance incidents in six nights which could be blamed on pre-loading, and received backing from the on-trade. A Westminster Council spokesman said:

'We are refining and clarifying our stress area policy, particularly around issues of dispersal, fast food, restaurants serving alcohol without food and the operation of off-licences, in order to ensure we can continue to robustly tackle issues which can lead to alcohol-related disorder and anti-social behaviour.”

See here for local Cumulative Impact Policy guidance from Southwark and Torbay. The measure was highlighted in the recent consultation on Licensing Act, suggesting a reduction in the evidential requirement may be brought in.

British Crime Survey 09/10

Findings from the British Crime Survey have been released in Crime in England and Wales 2009/10 [pdf]. In respect of drug and alcohol-related crime it reports:

'According to the 2009/10 BCS, victims believed the offender(s) to be under the influence of alcohol in half (50%) of all violent incidents, similar to the level in the 2008/09 survey.

Portsmouth local 'minimum pricing' approach

Licensees in an area of Portsmouth have made a 'voluntary agreement' not to sell drinks below £1.50 - but premises failing to adhere may expect to be called to a licensee  committee review. Eleven bars in the Guildhall Walk area made the agreement at a pubwatch meeting following a spate of violence - according to a Morning Advertiser report:

“It came off the back of police cracking down on irresponsible drinks promotions,” said one licensee, who declined to be named.

“A lot of places were doing £1 drinks and doubles for ridiculous prices. We decided to be proactive and introduce a voluntary scheme.

But the local JD Wetherspoon declined to take part in the agreement, and its legality is being questioned with regard to price fixing.

The approach follows similar measures taken in Oldham last year which were reportedly successful and featured in a BBC Panaroma programme.

This year the mandatory licensing code came into force, outlawing irresponsible promotions such as 'buy one get one free'. Guidance on the code was been released by the Home Office.

Alcohol news and updates: June 2010 pt. 2

'Double' tax hike for drinkers expected in budget

According to the Telegraph, 'drinkers face a "double whammy" of tax rises in the forthcoming emergency budget which will see the cost of beer, wine and spirits increasing sharply for the second time in three months.' A 5% duty rise combined with an increase of 2.5 percentage point rise in the rate of VAT rate would be thought to put 19p on a bottle of Chardonnay, while a bottle of Gordon's gin would rise 65p to £13.80. Publican report here.

Welfare reform pilots scrapped

A press release from the DWP this week announced Ministers have decided not to take forward previously proposed Welfare Reform Drug Recovery pilots. Under the Welfare Reform Act 2009 the pilots had planned extra support for those voluntary disclosing a drug or alcohol problem, as well as the power to test and impose conditions on drug and alcohol users. The charity Drugscope welcomed the news in its press release.

Professor Ian Gilmore Knighted

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, has been Knighted for services to improving Public Health (BBC report). Professor Gilmore has been a vocal advocate of measures such as minimum pricing and restrictions on alcohol advertising, mainly as chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance.

Doctor warns of crisis point of young people with alcohol-related diseases

A doctor in Merseyside has warned he is seeing more and more people in their 20s and 30s with neurological diseases and mental disorders triggered by alcohol abuse. In a BBC report Dr Stephen Hood, a consultant at the University Hospital Aintree, said "We need to get people to realise that these conditions, like cirrhosis and dementia, are not 'old people' diseases. Young people are becoming more and more prone to developing them. It is reaching a crisis point."

Diageo invests in Purple Flag scheme

According the Morning Advertiser, Diageo is to invest around £100,000 over three years as headline sponsor of the ‘kitemark’ scheme that recognises safe and successful nighttime economies. Purple Flag status is given to nightspots that are judged to have taken strides to improve the environment at night for visitors and residents, including measures for tackling alcohol-related disorder.

World Cup 2010: Alcohol and Licensing guidance notes

'Alcohol and Licensing During the World Cup 2010: Guidance notes' [doc] has been produced for those involved with Licensing and enforcement. The guidance makes recommendations for a number of particular areas to consider in relation to alcohol-related crime and disorder, and identifies key powers within the Licensing Act.

The guidance also identifies specific 'irresponsible promotions' that will not be permitted following the introduction of the mandatory code this year. Specific breaches of the code would include offers such as:

• “half price drinks when England scores a goal”; or
• “free drinks if your team wins”

Home Office guidance on the code for retailers is available: 'Selling Alcohol Responsibly: The New Mandatory Licensing Conditions'

Cocaethylene: responding to combined alcohol and cocaine use

A briefing paper 'Cocaethylene: responding to combined alcohol and cocaine use' has been produced by the AERC Alcohol Academy. The paper assesses the current understanding, data, trends and implications for public health and alcohol policy.

The briefing identifies that combined alcohol and cocaine use appears to be increasingly popular despite indications of significantly increased health and social risks. Combining alcohol and powder cocaine can form cocaethylene in the liver, a unique metabolite that can enhance the user's experience but significantly increase the risk of heart attack or sudden death. Its use has also been linked to other conditions and an increased risk of violence.

However awareness about cocaethylene and associated risks appears low; the paper recommends that both further research and policy recognition are needed. It identifies a role for alcohol and drugs policy to better respond to poly-use, both within the health & treatment and community safety fields. Although there is little evidence of specific treatment or intervention approaches for combined use, it appears there is scope within existing approaches to better respond to combined use. There may be opportunities particularly within the alcohol field and through the delivery of brief interventions (or 'IBA'), whilst primary powder cocaine treatment indicates positive outcomes for combined users.

The Academy has been developing a cocaethylene training course to develop knowledge and explore treatment responses for combined users, and is working with experts to explore and develop further research on the subject. If you are interested in training or have further information on combined alcohol and cocaine use, please get in touch.