Ban irresponsible drinks promotions

HEALTH campaign group Our Life is calling for a big show of support from members of the public and health and public sector professionals in Warrington for government proposals to outlaw irresponsible and excessive drinks promotions.
The Home Office has launched a public consultation on a proposed new code of practice for alcohol retailers and is canvassing opinions on proposals that will ensure that those who sell and supply alcohol do so responsibly, in order to prevent alcohol-related crime, disorder and nuisance.
Our Life chief executive Dr Alison Giles said: “We believe that the public in the North West, a majority of whom drink moderately, should welcome these proposals which will go some way to ending irresponsible and excessive drinks promotions.
“The government’s consultation gives moderate drinkers a chance to say no to those who promote excessive drinking which leads to enormous personal distress for families blighted by alcohol harm and costs us hundreds of millions to essential public services such as A&E and policing.”
According to the Our Life-organised Big Drink Debate survey last year, 81 per cent of respondents in Warrington said that they thought low prices and discounts increase people’s alcohol use.
A subsequent Our Life survey conducted last month also showed that 81 per cent of people in the North West are worried about the effects of irresponsible drinking on law and order in the community, 83 per cent are worried about the effects of irresponsible drinking on children and young people and 74 per cent are worried about the effects of irresponsible drinking on the cleanliness and appearance of towns and city centres.
Dr Giles said: “It cannot be acceptable that alcohol can be so cheap when it is the cause of so much harm to us as individuals and as communities. We think it’s time to reclaim village and town centres by putting a stop to the promotion of drunken behaviour by small sections of the on-trade by supporting the government’s proposals.”
Our Life has launched a campaign to encourage people to take part in the consultation. It is also working in partnership with police, local authorities, fire services and NHS organisations, to maximise positive responses and make the government aware that people want to see urgent action taken to tackle the rising unhealthy drinking culture in our region and nationwide.
The group has set up a survey link at www.tinyurl.com/ourlifesurvey to enable people to register their views on the government’s proposals. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 5 August 2009.