Alcohol Concern is calling for supermarkets and off-licenses to confine displays of alcohol to a single area of their premises, claiming the widespread promotion of alcohol helps to fuel a harmful drinking culture. The charity conducted research that found alcohol is sold throughout stores, in doorways, on end-of-aisle displays, by checkouts, and alongside everyday groceries such as bread and milk.
Download Out of the way? Alcohol displays in supermarkets
The restriction is already in place in Scotland and is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, whilst 70% of 1,000 supermarket customers in Wales back the proposal according to the report. In a press release, Alcohol Concern's Don Shenker said "Such practices promote alcohol as a normal commodity... saturating every aisle of a store with alcohol displays, demonstrates, once again, that big supermarkets are intent on placing their profits above public health."
Whilst on-trade groups spoke in support of the call, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the findings were based on a "very small-scale survey" of just four stores in a single UK city. Andrew Opie, the BRC's food director claimed: "Supermarkets are the most responsible sellers of alcohol. There's no evidence to link the way alcohol is sold currently to irresponsible drinking." See Sky news report.
See here for a recent AERC research report into managing 'alcohol supply point' areas.
as much as we want to rid of alcohol and cigarettes but we can't, a lot of them are promoting on television, movies and ads, all we can do right now is to educate ourselves in how to control and be responsible.
Posted by: RSA Online | Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 05:21 PM
Cigarettes are out of the way and that didn't effect how many people smoked! If people want to drink they will drink and fully agree with previous post, it is a result of poor life skills and people not having sustainable values. We need to instil in people better morals, higher standards and more self-esteem, people need to take responsibility for their lives rather than blame everything else.
Posted by: Claire Dobinson | Friday, March 04, 2011 at 03:32 PM
I understand Don Shenker's comment is a reference to the alcohol policy book/concept 'Alcohol: no ordinary commodity' Babor et al.
Evidence shows a clear link between price and consumption. Social factors are vitally important too, but its not an 'either or argument'.
This is why multiple interventions are needed as part of effective harm reduction strategy.
Posted by: James | Friday, March 04, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Alcohol is certainly an epidemic in the UK. Binge drinking has become the norm, with one in three effected. In response to Don Shenkers comments, Alcohol is a normal commodity. It is promoted everywhere, with probably the biggest culprits being Soap Operas.
Problematic drinking isn't created by cheap booze, it's created by poor life skills and negative social learning i.e. the inability to process emotions.
A much more radical reform is required. Perhaps some practical life skills at school level would help. Maybe there could be more promotion of alternative activities on the soap operas.
Targeting shops for offering promotions of alcohol seems to be a little ludicrous to me.
Posted by: Chris Simonite | Friday, March 04, 2011 at 12:16 PM