Plan of action

The long-awaited revised Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy has received tentative backing from the trade.

Pubs and the drinks industry have gone through a period where they have been targeted as the cause of all drink-related violence and binge-drinking.

However, the general view in the trade is that the new strategy is not all that bad and effectively targets the right issues.

It takes a three-pronged approach - to ensure irresponsible premises are targeted effectively, to focus on the minority of drinkers who cause the most harm to themselves, and to create an environment that actively promotes responsible drinking.

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker, in the foreword to the report Safe. Sensible. Social. The Next Steps in the Alcohol Strategy, argues that "everyone must take personal responsibility" and advises parents and guardians to consider how they drink.

"The government recognises that promoting a sensible drinking culture is a job for the whole of society," he writes. "Everyone has a personal responsibility to drink in a safe, sensible and social way.

"Since the previous alcohol strategy we have seen significant progress through the 'Know Your Limits' binge-drinking publicity campaign, new enforcement powers in the Licensing and Violent Crime Reduction Acts and the establishment of a new independent charity, the Drinkaware Trust, to promote sensible drinking."

Public health minister Caroline Flint says: "We don't want drunken violence, vandalism and packed A&E departments to be the hallmarks of a Saturday night out in Britain."

The report recognises the role the industry has taken in encouraging responsible practice.

It says the industry has made "good progress" in adopting voluntary codes, but adds that some businesses still act outside the law, and these will be targeted.

One piece of good news for the pub trade is the announcement of an independent review on alcohol pricing and promotions.

The government has revealed it will consult on compulsory alcohol labelling to warn drinkers about the dangers to their health.

The independent review of evidence on the relationship between alcohol price, promotion and harm is expected to focus on so-called 'deep discounting' by the supermarkets as well as on-trade pricing.

The report also says it will ensure the laws and licensing powers introduced to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder and protect young people are used widely and effectively.

The strategy will be delivered at a national level and through local partnerships, which will start work in 2008. It will focus on the minority of drinkers who cause or experience the most harm.

These are:​

• 18 to 24-year-old binge-drinkers, a minority of whom are responsible for the majority of alcohol-related crime and disorder
• People under 18 who drink alcohol
• Adult drinkers who do not necessarily realise their drinking patterns are damaging their health.

To read the revised strategy in full, visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/Alcohol-strategy.pdf

The long-term goal of the strategy ​

'To minimise the health harms, violence and antisocial behaviour associated with alcohol, while ensuring that people are able to enjoy alcohol safely and responsibly.'

Key actions in the strategy​

• Sharpened criminal justice for drunken behaviour
• A review of NHS alcohol spending
• More help for people who want to drink less
• Toughened enforcement of underage sales
• Trusted guidance for parents and young people
• Public information campaigns to promote a new 'sensible drinking' culture
• Public consultation on alcohol pricing and promotion
• Compulsory local alcohol strategies.

Polycarbonates​

The government has come out against a blanket ban on glass. It says it will support action to secure the replacement of glassware and bottles with safer alternatives in high-risk premises.

Acknowledging that glassware can increase the risk of injury from violent assaults, it also recognises that there are different types of licensed premises, many of which have no need for polycarbonates.

The report says: "A pub or bar is not necessarily a high risk simply because it is in a town centre and open late, but neither is a premises low risk because it is in the countryside and closes at 11pm."

An expert group of police, doctors, academics and representatives of the alcohol industry will be set up to gather evidence on how high-risk premises can be identified.

The strategy focuses on people whose drinking patterns are damaging their health

What the strategy says about drinking​

Sensible drinking ​

• Sensible drinking is drinking in a way that is unlikely to cause yourself or others significant risk or harm
• Adult women should not drink more than two to three units a day
• Adult men should not regularly drink more than three to four units a day
• Pregnant women or women trying to conceive should not drink alcohol

Harmful drinking​

• Harmful drinking is drinking at levels that lead to significant harm to physical and mental health and at levels that may be causing substantial harm to others
• Women who regularly drink more than six units a day (or 35 units a week) and men who regularly drink more than eight units a day (or 50 units a week) are at the highest risk of alcohol-related harm

Binge-drinking​

• This is essentially drinking too much alcohol over a short period of time and typically leads to drunkenness.

Reaction​

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Trade Association:​

"I am pleased that throughout the strategy there is a strong emphasis on personal responsibility and personal decision-making. The industry recognises the important role it can play in helping to inform consumers, but we firmly believe that some messages are best delivered by government."

David Poley, chief executive of drinks watchdog the Portman Group:​

"We welcome the independent review into whether price promotions contribute to harmful drinking. At the moment, the effect of such promotions is unknown. This review should collect the evidence before we can determine whether any new restrictions are necessary."

Chris Allison, Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on licensing and deputy assistant commissioner for the Metropolitan Police:​

"The underlying problem is a culture of excessive drinking, a culture that cannot be changed by enforcement activity alone. ACPO has always advocated a more holistic approach to resolve this problem and welcomes any government activity that is designed to deal with the cultural issues of excessive drinking."

Young people's minister Parmjit Dhanda:​

"The evidence we've looked at suggests young people are drinking at a younger age and in greater quantities than before. To help young people and their parents make informed decisions about drinking, the government has signalled its intention to provide authoritative, accessible guidance about what is and isn't safe and sensible in light of the latest evidence from the UK and abroad."