Good health to ban on happy hours

Jul 21 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

PROPOSALS to ban happy hours in pubs and clubs in an attempt to promote responsible drinking were welcomed by health experts and police in the region yesterday.

The Government is expected to publish the results of an independent review by the University of Sheffield into the link between price promotion and alcohol abuse in the next few weeks.

It will then begin consultation about new legislation to regulate the industry, which could include banning happy hours.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “The Government has made it clear that alcohol must be sold and marketed responsibly and that new legislation will be introduced if existing voluntary standards are not being met.”

Drinks promotions and happy hours are currently regulated by individual pub companies.

But a report by Alcohol Concern, published this week, showed current industry self-regulation was ineffective, and cut-price drinks deals were commonplace.

Yesterday North liver specialist Christopher Record gave his full backing to the potential ban. “We would like to see a complete end to happy hours,” he said. “We would like to see all promotions restricted to soft drinks.”

Dr Record, who works at Newcastle’s Freeman and Royal Victoria Infirmary hospitals, said: “At the moment the nation as a whole is drinking about 21 units per adult per week. It is no surprise that we’re in trouble. Alcohol consumption has gone up enormously so we need measures such as this that promote a fall in consumption.”

But Ross Smith, head of policy and research at the North East Chamber of Commerce, warned that any decision must be preceded by the “careful and robust gathering of evidence” on the likely health impact. “Any decision like this has to be weighed up very carefully,” he added. “Many people in the licensing trade have already seen a quite substantial increase in duty on alcohol so I would think that it would have to be very carefully thought through before further restrictions on their trade were brought in.”

Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, Mike Craik, said the move should constitute part of a wider effort to reduce alcohol-related disorder.

He said: “The reality is that clearly more still needs to be done, particularly about under age drinking and the associated youth disorder.

“That may well include rigorous action on the price of alcohol, a ban on advertising, increased education and advertising around the harm it can do, external regulation or even taking a uniquely harmful substance out of the normal retail chain.

“There should also be an end to discounted drinks, such as two-for-one deals, happy hours and supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost prices. There should be a ban on the sale of alcopops and no advertising of alcohol.”

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) welcomed the Government review, but said new legislation should cover all alcohol retailers.

Mark Hastings, BBPA director of communications, said: “It should not be one rule for pubs and one rule for everyone else.”

Prices 'should be managed'

THE boss of a North East pub group said last night he believes it should be down to individual venues to manage their happy hours.

John Weir, managing director of Wear Inns, said although he does not run happy hours in his pubs, he feels a complete ban would be unfair. "I don’t think they should be banned," he said. "It’s up to individual operators to manage their happy hours accordingly. The issue is that people tend to reduce prices to such a silly level it can be irresponsible but if it’s managed properly, then it’s fine."

Wear Inns have pubs in Ashington, Northumberland, and Houghton-le-Spring and Stanley in County Durham.