Health warning claims refuted by DoH

The Department of Health (DoH) has denied claims that licensees will be forced to display cigarette-style notices warning about the health dangers of drinking.​ Reports last week suggested that the government was in talks with the drinks trade over the tobacco-style health warnings, which could see notices displayed in pubs as well as on drinks packaging. Newspapers claimed the minister had confirmed that within two years new measures would force drinks companies to feature unit measures as well as health messages on packaging.

Health minister Caroline Flint confirmed the government was consulting with the drinks industry and said it was important to get the sensible drinking message across.

However, the DoH has played down the reports claiming the talks were part of the ongoing consultation with the industry over the 'Choosing Health' White Paper.

Mark Hastings, communications director at the British Beer & Pub Association, said the consultation with the government was about how to communicate to people about sensible drinking so they could make "informed decisions".

He said: "No-one is talking about health warnings. What we are talking about is how to better get across to people what is sensible drinking. Health warnings are not on the agenda."

Licensee Danny Scott, Rick's Bar in Greenwich, South London, said most pubs were already getting the message over about sensible drinking.

"We are already getting nailed to the floor. It is up to the individual to make their own choices," he said.

"The government has already done it with cigarettes and we are getting fed up of the nanny state telling us what to do."

But licensee Glenn Fraser of the Cross Keys in Barnsley said: "When I heard the reports I assumed we would eventually get packaging through from our suppliers with warnings on. It wouldn't really bother me.

"It the government introduces legislation we have to adhere to it."