Industry warned to stop 'irresponsible' drinks promotions
Campaigners have issued a stern warning to the drinks industry to stop promoting unlimited-drinks offers before the government intervenes.
Pubs that offer unlimited free drinks in return for a fixed entrance fee have been slammed as "breeding grounds for alcohol abuse" by Alcohol Concern and the National Addiction Centre.
The groups are continuing to push the drinks industry to ban such offers, claiming they are encouraging young people to drink excessively and are subsequently placing a strain on the health service.
"Any sensible person can see that these promotions are irresponsible," a spokeswoman said.
"The drinks industry should agree to ban them in order to evade government intervention."
But the drinks industry has retaliated, claiming only a handful of these promotions are irresponsible.
Karen Kelshaw, spokeswoman for the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), said: "There shouldn't be a blanket ban. It should depend on the licensee and the venue. What might be seen as irresponsible in one venue could be totally responsible in another."
The BBPA has sent out its code of practice to licensees, which covers sensible drinks promotions (see below). Alcohol Concern's calls are part of its drive to combat alcohol misuse. Medical research shows that almost five million people are currently drinking at "excessive" levels and the lobby group wants the government to tackle the problem head on.
BBPA promotions advice:
- provide food and snacks during early evening happy hours
- stretch happy hours over a longer period, for example, two hours. This may discourage people from binge-drinking
- avoid discounts linked to unpredictable events, eg goals during football matches
- avoid drinking games that may have a speed incentive
- entry fees entitling customers to free or reduced price drinks should be avoided
- include soft drinks during happy hours
- promotional activity for alcoholic drinks should comply with British codes of advertising and sales promotions and with relevant parts of The Portman Group code of practice.
