Gov: Alcohol abuse is a priority
The Government has made it "a priority to deliver real and tangible results" on alcohol abuse.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the Government would target three groups in its booze battle - underage drinkers, binge drinkers aged 18-24 and problem premises who sell alcohol irresponsibly.
The Home Secretary has written to every chief constable and local authority chief executive pointing out the full range of powers available to them, including closing "dodgy premises", ahead of the implementation of local alcohol strategies in two months time.
We can only make a difference if we work togetherJacqui SmithHome Secretary
Irresponsible promotions are firmly in the Government's sights although little mention was made of cheap supermarket deals. "There are still many licensed premises that are not responsible," she said.
"It can not be right that you can still find 50p a shot deals and all-you-can-drink for £10 nights."
Management consultants KPMG are to carry out a full assessment and review of the social responsibility measures put in place by the industry and will report in March.
Despite criticism of the minority of irresponsible retailers, the Home Secretary praised the hard work done by the industry and reserved particular praise for schemes such as Best Bar None, Challenge-21 and Pubwatch.
"There are clear and growing signs (the industry) is taking its responsibilities seriously," she said.
Underage drinkers
The Home Office is to roll out a £875,000 campaign in 175 areas over the coming half-term to activley confiscate youths from consuming alcohol on street corners and in public.
A pilot scheme run in 23 areas over a four-week period at Christmas saw 3,700 litres - the equivalent of 6,500 pints - confiscated.
The Government will also consider introducing new powers of confiscation if the current laws prove too prohibitive.
"If it is illegal (for under-18s) to buy alcohol, it should be illegal for them to drink it in public," said Smith.
Parents will also be under scrutiny after a recent study showed around half the alcohol consumed by under-18s is acquired through parents or the family.
"The idea that you can hand your kids a six pack of lager and tell them to disappear off for the evening, with no thought to the consequences, frankly baffles me."
Binge drinkers
The Home Office is to fork out £10m on a new responsible drinking ad campaign which will set out the dangers of binge drinking and raise awareness of the unit value of drinks.
Throughout the speech delivered to police, drinks producers, trade bodies and local authorities, Smith stressed her aims could only be achieved in partnership with the trade.
"We can only make a difference if we work together."
She recognises a lot of hard work is still ahead. "What we require is nothing less than a big shift in culture in how we approach alcohol."
