Cheap Drink Ban To Tackle Bingeing
December 4th 2008
The government pledged yesterday to crack down on cheap alcohol as it unveiled its legislative plans for the coming year.
Health organisations welcomed the plans - but expressed mixed views about embedding the proposed NHS constitution in law.
Under the plans clubs and pubs will be banned from running "all you can drink" nights - and evenings that entice women or other groups with cheap drinks will also be banned.
Supermarkets will also be restricted from offering discounts and staff that sell alcohol will need proper training.
The plans will be backed with some £4.5 million to enable the police and other agencies to enforce them.
The British Medical Association said more was needed to tackle alcohol and tobacco illness.
Health secretary Alan Johnson said: "We now have the evidence and public support to take decisive action to reduce harm from excessive drinking. Our consultation results suggest that people want to see Government tackle irresponsible promotions - we can’t justify delaying action here while waiting for further analysis on changes to pricing.
"Low-cost alcohol is clearly linked to increased consumption and harm, so I’m not ruling out taking action on very cheap alcohol, such as alcohol sold below cost price."
The proposed NHS Constitution has been widely discussed as part of the Darzi reforms and, it is said, will include rights and responsibilities for patients.
The constitution might give patients rights to seek treatments not funded by their local services, it was reported.
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "The RCN also welcomes the commitment to clamp down on irresponsible alcohol sales, which is a change our members have been calling for in preventing irresponsible drinking, and is estimated to cost the NHS £2.7 billion every year.
"This will also help our members on the frontline in dealing with the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption."
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