ACS

ACS has responded to the Government’s latest consultation on alcohol policy announced by Dawn Primorolo Minister for Health (pictured) by urging members to focus on practical measures that drive high standards in their own business. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Everyone should seek to play their part in changing the drinking culture. To do this retailers must focus on the practical measures that they can take in their business that make a difference.”

These comments following the release of a policy consultation, entitled “Changing our Drinking Culture”. The consultation is the latest stage of the ongoing implementation of the National Alcohol Strategy and highlights the issue of industry self regulation and the price and promotion of alcohol. The consultation asks for views on whether the alcohol industry should be subject to a code of practice.

Mr Lowman continued: “Off licence retailers can contribute to changing drinking culture through running a responsible business. This includes taking part in successful industry initiatives such as Challenge 21 and No ID No Sale, and also by playing their part in local partnerships and developing community based solutions to local alcohol related problems.

“We will consider the consultation proposals in detail and aim to provide constructive comments to move us forward. However we will caution against Government pursuing a national, one size fits all, code of practice. A complex and bureaucratic code would create a duplicate regulatory structure that threatens to confuse operations for retailers.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Michael Saxton/ Grappa PR
Julie Kirby 020 7602 9222



Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.

2. Full details of the Department of Health consultation are available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_086424

3. Challenge 21 is a pan industry scheme targeted at training staff to challenge people that look under tha age of 21 to as for proof of age. The aim of the initiative is to increase the likelihood that any attempted underage purchase is detected or deterred. It has widely been accepted to be a success.

4. No ID No Sale is run by the industry leading proof of age card scheme CItizenCard. This has provided tens of thousands of point of sale and training packs to retailers. Over 1.7 million CItizenCards have been issued. CitizenCard is a member of the Proof of Age Standards Scheme.