Smith criticised for focus on drinks deals in bars

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been criticised for wrongly targeting drinks deals in bars as she announced a crackdown on "dodgy premises".

Smith said Government would target three groups in its booze battle - underage drinkers, young binge drinkers and problem premises.

She has written to every chief constable and local authority pointing out the full range of powers available to them - including closing "dodgy premises" - before local alcohol strategies begin in two months' time.

Speaking to an audience of trade leaders and others in London, Smith said: "There are still many licensed premises that are not responsible.

"It cannot be right that you can still find 50p-a-shot deals and all-you-can-drink for £10 nights."

Bar Entertainment & Dance Association senior consultant Jon Collins said such deals "have largely been eradicated". He said: "I bet you couldn't find 20 of those offers in existence across the country.

"And where there are those promotions it is mainly because of the pressures of the new licensing laws and the smoking ban."

However, Smith praised the actions of the industry overall, highlighting schemes such as Best Bar None, Challenge 21 and Pubwatch.

"There are clear and growing signs [the industry] is taking its responsibilities

seriously.

"We can only make a difference if we work together. What we require is nothing less than a big shift in culture in how we approach alcohol."

Collins added: "The tone seems to have changed and is now more proportionate. The language is one of acceptance of partnership.

"But the challenge now is to make sure that attitude is transmitted through the Home Office and into the police.

"There is such an enforcement-led, confrontational attitude at the moment - fuelled by the constant underage sting campaigns and checks."

Cheap shots promos under fire

Bar operators in Newcastle have come under fire for selling spirits for as little as 65p a shot.

Local MP Kevan Jones and Assistant Chief Constable Sue Sim hit out at the deals in local newspaper the Sunday Sun.

The paper says venues are targeting students in particular with deals such as £5.90 for nine shots.

Jones said: "It's promoting irresponsible drinking among young people."

Sim said: "All the evidence suggests that if you have lots of cheap alcohol on sale, you can have problems.

"If pubs and clubs are having these promotions, our licensing officers will

go round and make sure they are behaving responsibly."

KPMG to scrutinise trade responsibility standards

Management consultancy KPMG is to scrutinise the trade's commitment to its voluntary code on social responsibility.

The Social Responsibility Standards for the Production and Sale of Alcoholic Drinks, released in 2005, includes best practice codes from several trade groups. It features advice on drinks promotions and dispersal policies.

KPMG is to report its findings in March.

Portman Group chief executive David Poley said: "Responsible retailers and producers should have nothing to fear from this scrutiny. We look forward to showing how our work has raised standards of drinks producer activity."