Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy (Hansard, 2 December 2004)

§ Lord Warner

Responsibility for combating binge drinking has not been given to an alcohol industry lobby group. As tasked by the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England the Government are working with the drinks industry at a national level. The voluntary social responsibility scheme for drinks producers will strongly encourage drinks companies to: pledge not to manufacture products irresponsibly; ensure that advertising does not promote or condone irresponsible or excessive drinking; put the sensible drinking message clearly on bottles alongside information about unit content; move to packaging products in safer materials; and make a financial contribution to an independent fund that pays for new schemes to address alcohol misuse.

At a local level, there will be new voluntary code of good practice scheme for retailers, pubs and clubs and off licences. This will be run in partnership with industry, police, and licensing panels, and led by the local authority. It will ensure that industry works alongside local communities on issues such as under-age drinking and making town centres safer and more welcoming at night.

In addition, the White Paper Choosing Health published on 16 November 2004 highlighted that the Government will build on commitments within the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England.