New Responsibility Deal alcohol pledges published
The Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network has a new set of alcohol pledges which tackle alcohol misuse and promote responsible drinking.
The new pledges, developed in a challenge set to industry, will serve to reduce alcohol consumption, increase education and help to tackle the £21 billion a year cost of drink-related harm.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:
"Our Responsibility Deal has made real progress, as the industry is taking one billion units out of the market and has agreed to provide labelling which includes health warnings and unit information.
"The new pledges will help people to drink responsibly and make healthier choices."
The new pledges include-
producers calling time on super-strength products in large cans
retailers committing to the responsible display and promotion of alcohol in shops and supermarkets
pubs and bars making sure they stock house wines below 12.5% ABV and promote lower-alcohol products to customers
The drinks industry will also expand successful partnership schemes to the Local Alcohol Action Areas, which were launched by the government in February, and there will be a new initiative to address street drinking.
Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive, Addaction said:
"We welcome the pledges made today as part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal. Addaction will continue to strive for further progress to reduce alcohol harm as part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, ensuring that our service users are represented and heard."
Initial funding of £250,000 will be provided by industry for lifeskills education programmes in schools.
Grants will be available to give 10,000 people a qualification that will help enforce responsible drinking by 2016.
Henry Ashworth, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, said:
"UK drinks producers and retailers have a strong track record in delivering programmes of voluntary activity to support government in tackling anti-social behaviour caused by alcohol misuse.
"As responsible businesses, we are determined to play our part and have set out a whole new programme of voluntary actions in response to the challenge set by the government.
"Working in partnership with business is a great way to get positive change happening quickly in towns and cities throughout the UK."