Trade leaders vow to do more to stop underage drinking
Trade leaders have vowed to go "further, faster" to stop underage sales during a top-level meeting with Government.
That was made as part of a four-point "action plan" that included:
1) Eliminating sales to under 18s2) Continue the roll-out of Challenge 21, where anyone who looks 21 or younger is asked for ID3) Stop alcohol sales to drunks4) To plan for a trouble-free World Cup and summer period.
About a dozen trade leaders agreed to the plan during a meeting with new Home Office minister Vernon Coaker and licensing minister Shaun Woodward yesterday.
"This action plan with Government shows our sector's determination to tackle and solve problems and continue to improve practice," said Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association.
"Excellent progress is being made in many areas. Now, we must go further faster, and in particular seek to eliminate sales to under 18s. Since implementation of the new licensing regime in November last year we have seen consistent reductions in alcohol-related crime and disorder across the country and improvements in the environment of the night time economy. We need to build further on that encouraging foundation by ensuring good practice continues to improve and is spread more widely.
"With the World Cup only weeks away we are determined to deliver an atmosphere of real celebration and enjoyment in our pubs and bars."Excellent progress is being made in many areas. Now, we must go further fasterRob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association.
Coaker said: "I have listened to key members within the alcohol on-trade industry and have been impressed by their commitment to eliminate underage sales in bars and clubs and their ambition to enforce responsible drinking initiatives.
"An action plan has been drawn up by the industry themselves and I am looking forward to working alongside them to improve standards, eliminate underage sales, helping to create a more civilised and responsible drinking culture."
Woodward said: "Everyone in Britain is looking forward to the World Cup - it will be a huge celebration. But we don't want the party to be spoiled by irresponsible drinks promotions and sales to under-18s. I really welcome this action plan. I have every confidence the on-trade will deliver their promise at the bar as England deliver on their promise on the pitch."
Your CommentsRobert Feal-Martinez via email 16/06/2006"So here we go again so the BBPA speaks for licensees?. Wrong they speak for their members who own not run pubs. What a momentus plan. How many pints of beer did it take to come up with that. And the Ministers were impressed. What a joke these trade organisations are, second only to this joke of a Government."
Ken Nason via email 16/05/2006"As Bob says who are these "trade leaders". Who elected them to speak on behalf of the rank and file licensees who are expected to impliment and take the kickings for failure.
May I remind those of short memories that it is the BBPA own members who were completely responsible for the explosion of high street venuse where it was the norm to serve under aged drinkers and drunks in the headlong desire for high profits and massive turnovers.
They are also the ones who gave birth to the "binge drinking culture" that has led to all of the draconian legislation, not the traditional licensees who are now being hounded by one and all to put matters right.
The 21 target for ID is also a way of justifying and supporting government to get acceptance of the imposition of ID cards on the law abiding people of this country by making it "inconvenient" not to have one. Imposition by percieved "acceptance" the Blair backdoor way!
About time these "trade representatives" started harking to the trade they profess to represent rather than perhaps their political masters? Of course the problem could be that licensees don't bestow honours do they?
Well, couldn't it? Or is that just the old cynic in me?"
Connie via email 16/05/2006"Mr Martinez and Mr Naylor are quick to pour cold water on this proposal which strikes Connie as a little silly when what the BBAP are saying is 100% correct. What is their alternative - serve the underage?
Forget the nonsense conspiracy theories gentlemen - this trade association may not represents your enigmatic views but it certainly represents the mainstream industry.
E B Cant via email 17/05/2006"With regards to connie`s remarks, the answer is quite simple, the police should deal with the parents, these are the people who let their kids out all hours,they even give them money for christ sake, what do they do that for, so they can go down the shops to buy sweets, i dont think so, parents are responsible for their children, not publicans, lets be fair some of these kids dress much older than they look, the police who do a fantastic job should concentrate more on who is responsible in the first place PARENTS, i am really pxxxxd off with this government, who can only go with the flow & not make a proper decision for the people. lets not forget out of town pubs very rare get problems, its the big town pubs that get most of the trouble, these are the pubs that should be targeted, not all pubs."
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