14/03/2008
Calling Time on Binge Drinking
Whilst the reforms were meant to bring 24 hour opening only 4% of all premises have 24 hour licences and few of those open for 24 hours. The government has recently published a review of the Licensing Laws, particularly its affect upon binge drinking. The key points in the report are that the new laws:-
– have failed to cut crime and disorder in city centres – alcohol related violence has risen by around 25% between 3.00am to 6.00am – reforms have not led to an increase in alcohol related illnesses and injuries – the impact of the changes has been “mixed” and new measures are needed to cut down on binge drinking – the indications are that cut price alcohol and pub promotions are contributing to the problems.
As a result the government has indicated it is actively seeking to attack the binge drinking culture. Whilst the Licensing Laws and therefore 24 hour drinking will remain measures are likely to be taken to attack the so called binge drinking culture. These are likely to include a ban on the sale of cut price alcohol by supermarkets, curtailment of “happy hours” and other pub promotions together with a likely increase in alcohol tax in the March 2008 budget.
Those are the measures likely to hit the consumer in the pocket, but additionally the government is seeking to introduce a new code, which will be a condition of granting a new Licence to shops, pubs and night clubs and will require the responsible sale and promotion of alcohol.
These may be regarded as sensible measures perhaps, but the real question that underpins the whole issue is whether government legislation is ever likely to change the underlying British culture, eradicate binge drinking and take us closer to our continental cousins. |
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