The Government's Alcohol Strategy

Cm. 8336

Author:

Home Office

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

Price: £8.75

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'The Government's Alcohol Strategy (Cm. 8336)' signals a radical change in the approach to irresponsible drinking and resultant criminal and anti-social behaviour, and the increasing health problems created by the current levels of alcohol consumption.

In 2011-12 there were nearly one million alcohol-related violent crimes and 1.2 million alcohol-related hospital admissions.

Causes of problems developing include:

• readily available cheap alcohol;

• increasing numbers of people drinking at home before going on a night out ("pre-loading");

• the Licensing Act failed to deliver a café culture;

• too many places cater for people who drink to get drunk regardless of the consequences for themselves or others; and

• individuals who cause the problems have not been challenged enough over their behaviour.

The availability of cheap alcohol will be curtailed through the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol. The exact level is to be agreed, but if it was 40p it is estimated there would be 50,000 fewer crimes each year and 900 fewer alcohol-related deaths by the end of the decade.

Consultations will also aim to end multi-buy promotions. Local areas and agencies will be given powers to challenge people's behaviour and make it easier to take action against, and even close down, problem premises. Other measures include early morning restriction orders and a late night levy so that businesses that open late contribute to the costs of policing.

The drinks industry has a crucial role to play in changing the drinking culture towards positive socialising. The risks of excessive consumption must be widely circulated.

Extent	28 pages	ISBN	9780101833622
Size	A4	Price	£8.75
Format	Paperback	Published	23 Mar 2012
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges