ACS Urges Retailers to Keep Focus on Responsible Standards
22 Jul 2008
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. Also by playing their part in the growing local partnerships that are 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.”
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. Also by playing their part in the growing local partnerships that are 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.”