Home Secretary slams cheap drinks promotions

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has hit out at cheap alcohol promotions but said she wants to work with drinks industry bosses to tackle alcohol disorder.

In a speech on Wednesday Smith told licensing officers and representatives from the drinks and retail industries her vision for tackling alcohol-related crime.

She said: "Research by Alcohol Concern has found there are still too many licensed premises that are not managed responsibly.

"There are still promotions for 50p shots and all you can drink for a tenner nights.

"I want to continue working in partnership with the industry to stop sales to those underage and to take a long hard look at how we promote alcohol, particularly to the young.

"I want to know if the industry should be doing more."

To help her she has hired auditors KPMG to review the drinks industry. The report - due to be completed by the end of next month - will focus on cut-price drink promotions, and the Home Secretary has not ruled out a change in the law to force retailers to act responsibly.

In the speech Smith also praised work the industry has done around social responsibility.

She said: "Best Bar None, Pubwatch, Challenge 21 all deserve our welcome and encouragement.

"These are signs of how the industry is doing more than facing up its responsibility. It is helping to lead the way on problem drinking."

In response to her speech David Poley, chief executive of drinks watchdog the Portman Group, said: "The whole of the industry should be positively influencing consumers.

"Responsible retailers and producers should have nothing to fear from this kind of scrutiny. We look forward to demonstrating how our work has raised standards of drinks producer activity."

Smith also used the speech to unveil plans for a half-term crackdown on youngsters drinking in the streets.

Police will be given powers to target 100 trouble spot areas across the UK and to confiscate alcoholic drinks.