Lansley offers hope war on alcohol could end

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has raised hopes the war on alcohol could be over after admitting "prohibition doesn't work".

Around 100 senior drinks industry figures gathered in Central London yesterday to hear Lansley talk about the drinks industry's role in a radical "responsibility deal" being drawn up by the coalition.

The deal, to be part of a wider health White Paper, is a push to build a social responsibility partnership between the government and business - instead of relying on state regulation.

And trade leaders who attended the meeting were encouraged by Lansley's attitude towards the industry.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "He (Lansley) was excellent, I was very impressed. He said prohibition doesn't work, legislation doesn't always work, and he wants an evidence-based approach."

She added: "He was quite clear he wants to work with us."

The White Paper is expected to be published early next year, after a deal has been struck.

However, Simmonds admitted there were things the pub industry would have to do to show it is playing its part.

"We have specific things we need to think about and work on," she said.

The BBPA is currently working with charity Drinkaware on a project to create a better understanding of units among pub customers, which could involve more labelling and advertising of alcohol content.

"People are still confused about what constitutes a unit, so we doing tests to see what works," Simmonds said.

Kate Nicholls, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers' head of communications, who also attended the meeting, said it was "constructive".

"There were reassurances the industry was part of the solution, which was encouraging," she said.

But she warned: "There will be pressure for the on-trade to have more public health messages - such as unit labelling and promotion."

However, nobody from the health lobby attended the meeting - and it is understood some groups have voiced dismay Lansley is engaging so openly with the alcohol industry.

Drinks industry chiefs meanwhile are understood to be wary of any input the health lobby could have - before any deal is signed.

Don Shenker, chief executive of Alcohol Concern warned his group would be "lobbying for legislation where it's needed".

He added: "My concern is areas like labelling where the industry was signed up to a voluntary code, there's a mixed picture. In some areas legislation is the only thing that will work."