Alcohol Policy UK

Public health and the Licensing Act 2003 – guidance note on effective participation by public health teams

New licensing guidance for local public health teams has been released by Public Health England (PHE) and the Local Government Association (LGA).

The guidance aims to help Directors of Public Health (DPH) and licensing roles to understand how public health can contribute to the licensing regime and how licensing can contribute to public health. It includes a number of relevant case studies from across the country.

Download Public health and the Licensing Act 2003 – guidance note on effective participation by public health teams [pdf]

Although protecting public health is not a licensing objective as it is in Scotland, the document sets out what local public health teams may be able to do in relation to each of the existing licensing objectives. Changes to the Licensing Act in 2012 meant local health bodies became a 'responsible authority' and could therefore input into licensing decisions. For instance submitting evidence on local applications or requesting a review. This followed a consultation on 're-balancing' the licensing act, although there are questions over the impact given total licenses have been relatively stable, but the number of reviews dropped.  

The new guidance document states: 

PHE is keen to maximise the impact of public health within the local licensing regimes and ensure that public health: 

• performs its role as a responsible authority effectively
• is a consideration in local licensing policies
• is represented in licensing forums and partnership groups
• shares data and evidence with other responsible authorities

It also states:

As a responsible authority, DPH may, where they have appropriate evidence:

• make relevant representations on the likely effects of the grant or variation of a premises licence or club premises certificate on one or more of the licensing objectives
• make relevant representations on the review of a premises licence or club premises certificate where problems associated with one or more of the licensing objectives occur after the grant or variation of the licence or club premises certificate
• issue an application for the review of a premises licence or club premises certificate where problems associated with one or more of the licensing objectives occur after the grant or variation of the licence or club premises certificate.
• contribute to the development and review of the statement of licensing policy and have a key role in identifying and interpreting health data and evidence.

Over recent years a number of licensing toolkits and guidance documents have been released, and a recent Alcohol Research UK report explored Using licensing to protect public health: From evidence to practice.

Home Office licensing guidance can be accessed here, including revised guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

News & updates October 2014: Scotland's drink drive limit; pre-paid benefits cards; sperm quality & health 'benefits'; sex and driving offences by young people; industry news & more

Selected media reports since the September roundup:

Alcohol policy & research

The Scottish Government has announced plans to reduce the country's drink-drive limit in time for Christmas. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has taken steps which, if approved by the Scottish Parliament, would mean a new limit being introduced on 5 December. Under the plans, Scotland's blood alcohol limit would be cut from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood. BBC News

The British Government is to introduce pre-paid benefit cards to stop claimants spending their money on alcohol, drugs or gambling habits. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said it would help those "on the margins break the cycle of poverty". BBC News

Drinking just five units of alcohol every week could reduce the quality of a man’s sperm, new research suggests. And the more alcohol consumed, the weaker the quality reports The Guardian

Meanwhile, drinking alcohol for health reasons would be "silly", says this Telegraph report which attempts to unpick the various myths and messages around supposed health impacts of moderate consumption. 

Couples are drinking more at home as staying in with a glass of wine as television replaces outings to the pub. The amount households spend on alcohol at supermarkets and off-licences has risen to almost £500 a year on average, according to a study by the Grocer magazine - The Telegraph.

The average Briton spends almost £50,000 on alcohol during their lifetime, says Macmillan Cancer Support. The Independent

Researchers have argued for cap on caffeine levels, citing health risks, particularly when the drinks are consumed with alcohol. The Guardian.

Dangerous levels of alcohol consumption are “the norm” in the armed forces, with urgent action needed. Links with PTSD and domestic violence need better understanding and more attention to address the issue - the Independent.

Young people and alcohol

Children as young as 11 have been caught drink driving in the UK, with an average of 1,000 under-18s being convicted of the offence in the last six years. Over 6,500 under 18s have been caught driving while drunk by police, with more than a quarter of offenders driving under the age of 16, with the added danger of being completely uninsured. The Independent.

Neknominate death was ruled 'accidental' after a 20 year old collapsed and died after drinking a 30 unit mix of wine, vodka, beer and whisky earlier this year. Pathology tests found he had drunk a "very high" amount of alcohol which was "within the range to induce a coma". BBC.

Humberside Police figures show the number of sex attacks where the offender and victim are both under 18 are increasing at a rapid rate. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Leaver has said more must be done to tackle the issue. He said: "There is one common factor to be found in both suspects and victim and that is alcohol consumption". Hull Daily Mail

Young people in Wales drink more alcohol each week than in any other part of the UK, a new report has found. According to the Public Health Wales Observatory, 17% of boys and 14% of girls between 11 and 16 drink alcohol at least once a week – 2% higher than in England and Scotland and twice the amount of youngsters in the Republic of Ireland. Wales Online

Alcohol industry news

Diageo has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Agency for an advert featuring an animated parrot, which was judged to have a strong appeal to children. Morning Advertiser

The Publican’s Morning Advertiser has launched a campaign, Make Some Noise, to protect established pubs and bars that are threatened with closure due to noise complaints.  In an early success, a Manchester music venue has won a licence review after claiming the council made “severe errors” in failing to install soundproofing in a neighbouring residential flat. Morning Advertiser

A Big Hospitality infographic (right) shows the claimed positive impact that two consecutive beer duty cuts have had on sales, employment and investment in the pub industry, using data from the British Beer and Pub Association's 'Cheers 2014' report.

The first scientific study of the impact of pubs on rural communities has proved they are “a vital service the countryside cannot afford to lose”, saying they are worth up to £120k to the community. Morning Advertiser

Almost 19,000 different cask ales are now brewed in Britain as a surge in demand for the beers has led to three new breweries opening every week, according to a new report. The Independent