Ministers have welcomed a package of measures announced by the alcohol industry targeted at tackling irresponsible drinking. The package includes a series of measures that are being taken forward by different companies and organisations across the industry:
- Retailers committing to the responsible display and promotion of alcohol in shops and supermarkets; and
- Producers calling time on super-strength products in large cans;
- Pubs and bars making sure they stock house wines below 12.5% ABV and promote lower-alcohol products to customers.
Speaking after a meeting between Ministers and industry representatives, that included ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores), the Home Secretary said:
“Alcohol-fuelled harm costs taxpayers £21 billion a year. It is therefore right that the alcohol industry is taking action to help reduce this burden, without penalising those that drink responsibly. The government welcomes the progress the alcohol industry has made so far in responding to the challenge we set them. We now look forward to seeing the positive impact of these pledges and continuing to work with industry to explore what else can be done to tackle alcohol abuse.
ACS has pledged its support under the terms of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, as follows:
- Supporting local areas to tackle anti-social behaviour by rolling out alcohol partnership schemes in Local Alcohol Action Areas by the end of 2015
- Introducing new good practice guidance for the responsible retailing of alcohol in the off-trade
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “In recent years we have seen retailers taking action both in store and within their local communities to address issues of alcohol-related harm. ACS has a proud record of promoting local initiatives such as Community Alcohol Partnerships, and we are playing a full part in supporting the Government’s Local Alcohol Action Areas. We are committed to driving up standards through promoting good practice and responsible retailing and will support the work of Retail Alcohol Standards Group in doing this.”
Details of the new Public Health Responsibility Deal pledges and pledge signatories are available to view in full online at https://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk/pledges
