What did the government base its consultation on?

KPMG review

Auditors KPMG were commissioned by the Home Office to review the drink industry's standards on social responsibility.

Conclusions ​

The industry's voluntary code of practice is no longer "fit for purpose" as it is "overridden by commercial drivers", KPMG concluded.

It says there is "sufficient evidence on the ground" to show the industry's code and related laws are being "flouted on a scale that suggests corrective action and government intervention is required".

Researchers observed people "who appeared to be" under-18 "frequently being admitted to age resticted venues", price offers on drinks, sales to drunk customers and "encouragement to drink more and faster through shots and shooters being downed in one".

However it admits there is a "critical mass" of "very responsible stakeholders within the industry" and police and councils "prepared to work collaboratively".

Methods ​

KPMG admits the review was a "snapshot of the national picture".

Around 30 researchers made 726 visits to 597 on and off trade premises in eight locations between February 27 and March 3 this year. Talks with local police and councils were also carried out. The locations visited were Coventry, Harrogate, Hackney, Manchester, North Norfolk, North Tyneside, Restormel in Cornwall, and Swindon.

The majority of on-trade visits appeared to focus on town centre "leisure areas", with less focus on rural and suburban locations. In North Tyneside, for example, 71 visits were made to city centre outlets, while only three visits were to suburban venues and none to rural areas.

Industry response ​

Paul Smith, executive director of late-night operator trade group Noctis, said he didn't believe the report was "reflective" of what was going on.

"If there were so many problems these places would be closed down, it's as simple as that," he said. However he admitted there are premises that were not "coming up to standard", but warned of "a few bad apples" affecting the majority.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said: "They seem to be focusing on the negatives and not the positives. It's also people pre-loading from the off-trade that's the problem."

Jeremy Beadles, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said a culture change would take time, but called for the "numerous laws" already in place to be enforced and to "build on the education and information programmes acknowledged as successful by government". Alcohol labeling of cans and bottles review

Conclusions ​

The review, carried out by Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association Group, found 43 per cent of the products surveyed did not contain any unit information. And only three per cent followed the industry's labeling scheme completely.

Methods ​

Nearly 500 samples were bought from more than 60 major supermarkets, convenience stores and off licences. All product types, packaging formats and branded/own label products were represented, according to their relevant market shares, the report said.

Industry response ​

David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, branded the report "shockingly flawed" because he claimed the authors had failed to take account of brand share. The group claims that the sample of drinks surveyed included many that sell far less than leading brands, which meant the figures were not reflective of the efforts made by drink producers.

Sheffield University review - Part One

Conclusions ​

The first part of this review, looking at the effects of alcohol pricing and promotion, concluded that cheap alcohol leads to increased consumption, particularly among young people and high risk drinkers. The review also states there is "strong and consistent evidence to suggest price increases and taxation (assuming increase pass through to retail price) have a significant effect in reducing demand.

However it adds that minimum pricing could be effective "as a targeted public health policy".

Part two of the review, due in September, will look specifically at promotions and how to tackle them, potentially turning the heat up on the off-trade.

A Department of Health spokesman told The Publican: "We know there is public concern about heavy discounting of alcohol by supermarkets. We are prepared to take action clearly shown to be necessary and proportionate."

Methods ​

Essentially it appears the university conducted a "review of reviews" for its research. More than 500 studies were picked out as being "potentially relevant".

Cost of alcohol harm to NHS/alcohol related hospital admissions review

New calculations put the cost alcohol of misuse to society between £17.7bn and £25.1bn a year. The reviews also found that alcohol misuse cost the NHS £2.7bn a year.

New figures also revealed there were 811,000 alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2006, accounting for six per cent of all admissions.