Government not keen on 'drunk stings'

The Government has indicated it is not keen on undercover operations to combat sales to drunks in pubs.

It comes in a response to a report from the Health Select Committee. The Committee called for a minimum price of alcohol - but the Government said it will wait until after a report at the end of this month before giving its view.

The Committee backed a tougher action against sales to drunks, but the Government's report flagged up "a number of practical difficulties" in doing so.

Drunkenness is a "subjective decision" that is "difficult to prove", the Government said. Successful prosecutions are "very resource intensive" and police feel resources are better used elsewhere.

It indicates that the Government is not keen on running more public-funded sting campaigns targeting sales to drunks, which occurred just over two years ago.

The Government rejected calls for a new licensing objective of public health, saying it's "not necessarily clear that it is reasonable that all licensees should have an overriding objective to protect the health of their customers".

Elsewhere, The Government's response gives little away on the issue of taxation, although it says the Treasury "could consider" public health impacts when it sets tax levels.

On the issue of alcohol labeling, the report said it will wait until the results of a consultation, which runs until 9 May, before acting.

But it wants at least 75% of labels to have health and unit information by 2014, and says it must "seriously consider a mandatory requirement".

Tougher controls on advertising were ruled out for the time being at least.

For example, a ban on alcohol ads before 9pm shouldn't be considered until the effectiveness of the current system has been assessed.

Proper investigations would also be needed before considering a ban on cinema ads for films that aren't rated 18.

The report says a review will be carried on the impact of alcohol advertising on on children - but there is "some way to go" before tougher restrictions recommended by the Committee are enacted.

It also supported the Advertising Standards Authority as a suitable body to regulate this area and there are currently enough controls around sponsorship.