The (latest) assault on alcohol

The health lobby has the drinks industry firmly in its sights. It is to unveil a new group this week called the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA), supposedly to counter the might of the drinks lobby. Led by the Royal College of Physicians, and comprising 21 groups including Alcohol Concern, the British Liver Trust and the Health Research Trust, it will aim to bring about a 10% increase in the tax levied against alcohol. It is also to push for warning labels (on glasses at the point of sale) and greater restrictions or even a blanket ban on alcohol advertising. The over-arching aim of the group is to reduce the amount of harm that alcohol causes to people’s health and society as a whole. A 10% increase in tax sounds absurd, especially given the huge amount already levied against alcohol in this country, especially when compared to the rest of Europe. But the industry must be careful how it fights this latest battle. It will not be easy for business leaders from companies that make money from pubs, restaurants and drink to argue successfully against a collection of pre-eminent surgeons, health groups and charities. It will require skill and a certain deftness of touch. Locking horns directly is probably not the answer. For anyone in the eating and drinking-out market still under any illusion that alcohol is not the “new tobacco”, there is also the prospect of undercover police officers issuing on-the-spot “drunk” fines in pubs, to customers who they deem have had one too many. There will also be penalties for operators. The government is reportedly planning to step up this campaign in the forthcoming festive season. The launch of the AHA follows a recent challenge to the drinking habits of the middle classes, as well as warnings of a prevalence of harmful drinking in some of Britain’s poorest areas. What the government research does not tell us is whether things are getting better or worse. This latest assault on alcohol comes as new research suggest that consumption in the UK last year fell more than 3% - the largest drop for 15 years. According to figures collated by the British Beer & Pub Association, which analysed HM Revenue & Customs data, Britons consumed 8.9 litres per person in 2006, a fall of 3.3%. It was the second consecutive year alcohol consumption had fallen after a 2% drop in 2005. Mark Hastings, director of communications for the BBPA, said: “Contrary to perceptions, the amount we drink as a nation is falling. Although it is too early to say if this is a long-term trend, these are certainly interesting figures in view of the intense public debate in recent months about Britain’s drinking habits. “While a small minority continue to use alcohol in an irresponsible way, its clear that the change in the licensing laws hasn’t unleashed an apocalyptic free-for-all in alcohol consumption.” The figures also highlighted a significant shift in what we drink, with beer accounting for 60% of alcohol consumed in 1980 compared to 43% today and wine consumption having increased from 14% in 1980 to 29% now. So consumption is in decline yet social issues around alcohol, and calls for action, are intensifying. Perceptions may be at odds with the truth but operators cannot afford to ignore this new reality.