Alcohol Concern responds to proposals contained in Greg Mulholland MPs Ten Minute Rule Bill to oblige the on-trade to offer a range of glass sizes

Srabani Sen, Chief Executive, said: This bill, which enjoys cross party support, raises some important questions about the types of help we put in place to enable people to make healthier choices. Surveys of the public repeatedly point to widespread confusion around the sensible drinking message and vagueness about what constitutes a unit, and how to keep track of them.

Alcohol Concern Statement

For Immediate Release

12:30 hrs Wednesday 30th January 2008


Alcohol Concern responds to proposals contained in Greg Mulholland MPs Ten Minute Rule Bill to oblige the on-trade to offer a range of glass sizes


Srabani Sen, Chief Executive, said:

This bill, which enjoys cross party support, raises some important questions about the types of help we put in place to enable people to make healthier choices. Surveys of the public repeatedly point to widespread confusion around the sensible drinking message and vagueness about what constitutes a unit, and how to keep track of them.

One of the reasons behind this is that it is becoming more difficult to rely on the rules of thumb that once served to help us keep track of how much were drinking. Many of the guidelines, such as a small glass equalling one unit are now outdated as alcoholic drinks become stronger and serving sizes get larger.

We regularly receive letters from drinkers complaining of premises where there is no longer any choice about the size of glass in which they can enjoy their drinks. A number of factors underpin Britains unhealthy relationship to alcohol. But feeding it is the extent to which social life is saturated with cheap, readily available alcohol. The large glass of wine that the customer doesnt order is just one symptom. For this reason, we support the call to oblige licensees to provide consumers with a genuine choice of glass size.

ENDS

For more information please contact Frank Soodeen at the Alcohol Concern press office on 0207 264 0514.

Notes to editors

Alcohol Concern is the national agency working to reduce alcohol-related harm in society. We work to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of alcohol services available to problem drinkers and their families.

Date: 30 January 2008