Closing time for binge drinkers

A health campaign is backing government proposals against excessive alcohol use

A health campaign is supporting government proposals to outlaw binge drinking and excessive drinks promotions.

The Home Office launched a public consultation on a proposed new code of practice for alcohol retailers and is canvassing opinions on proposals that will ensure that those who sell and supply alcohol do so responsibly, in order to prevent alcohol-related crime, disorder and nuisance.

Health campaign group Our Life is calling for a massive show of support from members of the public and health and public sector professionals in Rochdale.

Our Life chief executive Dr Alison Giles said: “We believe that the public in the North West, a majority of whom drink moderately, should welcome these proposals which will go some way to ending irresponsible and excessive drinks promotions.

“The government’s consultation gives moderate drinkers a chance to say no to those who promote excessive drinking which leads to enormous personal distress for families blighted by alcohol harm and costs us hundreds of millions to essential public services such as A&E and policing.”

According to the Our Life-organised Big Drink Debate survey last year, 85% of respondents in Rochdale said that they thought low prices and discounts increase people’s alcohol use.

A subsequent Our Life survey conducted last month also showed that 81% of people in the North West are worried about the effects of irresponsible drinking on law and order in the community, 83% are worried about the effects of irresponsible drinking on children and young people and 74% are worried about the effects of irresponsible drinking on the cleanliness and appearance of towns and city centres.

Dr Giles said: “It cannot be acceptable that alcohol can be so cheap when it is the cause of so much harm to us as individuals and as communities. We think it’s time to reclaim village and town centres by putting a stop to the promotion of drunken behaviour by small sections of the on-trade by supporting the government’s proposals.”

Our Life has set up a survey link at www.tinyurl.com/ourlifesurvey to enable people to register their views on the government’s proposals. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 5 August 2009.