News Release - BBPA comments on Department of Health consultation
22.07.2008

Commenting on today’s announcement by the Department of Health on further consultation on alcohol policy, Mark Hastings, BBPA Director of Communications, said:

“The Government’s approach should be to address the underlying culture and change attitudes, not just legislate and regulate. Legislation is a sledgehammer that will not crack the nut.

“There also needs to be the right balance between individual and corporate responsibility. We expect to be held to account for those things we can control, but companies cannot and should not be held to account for individual choices and behaviours that are beyond their ability to control.

“This is an industry that already bears the burden of one the heaviest tax and regulatory regimes in the world.

“With the economy in a precarious position, business under pressure, pubs closing at record rates and people feeling the pinch, now is not the time to be announcing a raft of new costs, regulations and restrictions on either businesses or individuals. The inevitable impact of such measures is to force up costs and prices and push more pubs towards penury.

“This seems to be a classic example of the Government’s tendency towards announcing new laws, rather than enforcing existing ones. There are plenty of laws and regulations to deal with irresponsible pubs and people. All agencies, including local government and the police should first focus on how to ensure these are enforced with greater rigour and consistency.

“We will look at the proposals and respond further when we have had a chance to consider them in detail.
. . . . . . .

Read Full Release
______________________________________________________________