Good-practice to be made mandatory
Voluntary schemes such as Challenge 21 and avoiding certain drinks promotions would be made mandatory under new Government plans.
The Government's new Youth Alcohol Action Plan also confirms that the yellow and red card alert system for problem premises - and the "two strikes" rule for underage sales - will be implemented this month.
The Plan, released today, wants to "improve" the trade's Alcohol Social Responsibility Standards Document, "with a view to making it mandatory".
The document, released in 2005, brings together best-practice from across the industry, including the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) code on drinks promotions, the Noctis dispersal policy, and the Portman Group's code on responsible drinks marketing.
It promotes Challenge 21 and urges pubs not to run certain drinks promotions.
The Plan says: "The Government feels strongly that it is right that all licensed premises not only comply with the law, but that they also operate to a set of standards that promote best practice."
Trade leaders criticised the plan.
British Beer & Pub Association director of communications Mark Hastings said: "Government is bulging at the seams with laws and regulations to deal with any problems that might be caused by our industry.
"Part of the problem is there are so many laws, rules and regulations no one in enforcement knows what exists and how and when to use it. Any lurch towards more legislation will only add to the confusion and costs.
"When Government starts to meddle the inevitable end result is muddle."
Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers chief executive Nick Bish feared the measures would mean more red tape and costs for licensees - including £8.5m for operating Challenge 21 inline with the inevitable dictats.
Bish said: "We deplore any measure of compulsion when there's so much legislation that is there to be used already.
"This is another example of the Government not thinking through the impact of their bright ideas."
Other measures in the plan include:
- Encouraging voluntary test purchase schemes
- Encouraging "tougher sanctions" on those breaching licensing conditions
- Working with councils to implement locally-funded sting operations
- Encouraging wider use of PASS cards
