Tony Blair has attacked Britain's binge drinking culture and sent a clear warning to operators that irresponsible drinks promotions will not be tolerated. At a meeting organised by the Institute for Public Policy Research in London last Thursday, the PM and ministers Richard Caborn, Melanie Johnson and Hazel Blears, made clear to their audience of drink suppliers and pub operators that a more responsible culture needed to be fostered in the country's bars and restaurants.
"There's a clear and growing problem on our town and city centre streets up and down the country on Friday and Saturday nights," said Blair. "As a society we must make sure that binge drinking doesn't become the new British disease."
Recent Home Office figures show 70% of A&E admissions are alcohol-related, with almost half of violent crime linked directly to booze.
The Government's efforts to tackle the problem were published in March in the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England. Although it stopped short of proposing an outright ban on drink promotions, it suggested operators may face a levy to fund policing costs if they don't co-operate and help tackle binge drinking (Caterer, 18 March, page 6).
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "The draft guidance we have laid before Parliament under the Licensing Act 2003 states that licensing authorities may consider local voluntary codes of practice in relation to discount drinks promotions. We hope this is an avenue they will pursue."