The government response to the Health Select Committee's alcohol report has been released, drawing media attention for rejecting calls to crack down on alcohol advertising.
Alcohol Concern labelled the Government's response as 'too complacent', Chief Executive Don Shenker stating:
“Whilst change cannot happen overnight – it certainly won’t happen if the government does nothing. Action on pricing, advertising and irresponsible promotions are the first step to reversing a drinking culture which has bought us to a point where average levels of teenage drinking is the equivalent of twelve and a half shots of vodka a week. The drinks industry will be delighted that Government are not planning any further action to independently monitor or regulate their practice"
The report individually responds to each of the Health Select Committee's recommendations. Whilst it agrees with many, it also rejects others and outlines ongoing work on the various issues. In respect of minimum pricing, a hot political topic over recent years, the government response states:
"Following publication of the Sheffield review, the Government committed
to taking forward further work to develop the evidence base on cheap alcohol.
The Home Office is now taking that work forward, with a view to developing a
better understanding of the wider implications that any action on price might
have on the economy, on levels of crime and disorder and on the public. We
anticipate that the research reports will be completed by the end of March 2010. The findings will then help to inform the Government’s next steps."
Last week MPs debated the Health Select Committe's report, with a response from the health Minister of State Gillian Merrion.
Consultation is currently open on whether the government should take further action on the industry to ensure labelling of alcoholic drinks.
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