Johnson's Alcohol Pledge

January 20th 2010

A pledge of "tough" new powers to tackle alcohol abuse in England failed to satisfy health campaigners yesterday.

Bars and night-clubs will be faced with a compulsory code of conduct after widespread claims that a voluntary system has failed.

Ministers say their proposals will help tackle binge drinking and growing rates of alcoholism and disease caused by drink.

Bars and clubs will no longer be allowed to offer unlimited drink through deals such as "all you can drink for £10" or activities such as "dentist's chairs" which involve pouring alcohol directly into a customer's mouth.

Retailers will need to have a policy for checking the age of buyers - the English limit is 18.

And bars and clubs will have to offer small measures as well as the super-sized glasses that have become fashionable for wine and spirits. They will also have to offer free tap water.

Breaching the code could incur fines of up to £20,000 or even six months in prison, according to Home Secretary Alan Johnson.

He said: "We have consulted extensively with the public and the alcohol industry to ensure that these conditions will only target the most irresponsible practices that most people agree should not happen anywhere."

Last week MPs on the health committee of the House of Commons called for a "radical overhaul of alcohol policy".

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and a leading anti-alcohol campaigner, said the proposals were a "positive move".

He added: "However, by focussing exclusively on bars and nightclubs the Home Office fails to tackle some of the main causes of the problems we are seeing in our neighbourhoods; revellers drunk on cheap supermarket and off-license alcohol, having 'pre-loaded' at home before their nights out."

And Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, called for minimum pricing and tighter regulation of labelling, sales and advertising.

He said: "Every day, frontline nurses see the devastating consequences of
excessive drinking on patients' physical and psychological health.

"As we approach the general election, all parties must realise just how severe this situation has become, and commit to taking drastic action to stop it
spiralling out of control."

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