Pubs attacked over large wine measures

Pubs and bars have been accused of encouraging customers into dangerous drinking habits by a leading group of doctors.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is unhappy at the trend amongst the on-trade to phase out small serving measures of wine and spirits.

The RCP said that 14% of pubs and wine bars had abolished the once standard 125ml measure of wine altogether, with customers only offered the choice of 175ml and 250ml glasses, which are equivalent to a third of a bottle.

President of the RCP Professor Ian Gilmore said: "People are aware of the units and they want to stay within safe limits, but they are being pushed up way over those limits by just not realising what they are drinking.

"The industry is being irresponsible and needs to put its house in order. There is no doubt at all that many people are drinking significantly more than they realise."

It is not the first time the industry has been attacked for serving large measures of wine.

In January Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland proposed a bill to amend weights and measures legislation because he believed it was contributing to binge drinking.

British Beer & Pub Association spokesman Mark Hastings told the BBC that larger servings were introduced to meet customer demand and pubs were giving people "what they wanted to buy".

For more on the issues surrounding alcohol retailing see our Binge Drinking news round-up.

No responsible alcohol retailing here, gov (The Caterer Blog)

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BMA calls on government to increase alcohol tax

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