All-you-can-drink offers to be banned
The Government today confirmed that all-you-can-drink offers will be banned under a new mandatory code on the sale and promotion of alcohol.
Opening a 12-week consultation on the proposals, the Home Office also said councils will be able to force licensed premises to operate a Challenge 21 scheme, ban glass and introduce CCTV.
Pubs and bars will be forced to offer a 125ml measure of wine and a 25ml or 35 ml measure of gin, rum vodka and whisky.
Licensees that breach the code could lose their licence, face a fine of up to £20,000 and six months' imprisonment.
The Government rejected proposals for a minimum price for alcohol, as it "would unfairly punish the sensible majority of responsible drinkers", but committed to more research on the issue.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Alcohol-related crime and disorder costs the UK billions every year in police and hospital resources, not to mention the effect it has on the lives of the millions of decent people who want to enjoy a night out.
"It is not about penalising the majority who trade responsibly but the Government has a duty to tackle this issue which affects us all."
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) described Smith as "arrogant and out of touch" for dismissing the industry's concerns about the costs of imposing a new code of practice during the recession.
ALMR chief executive, Nick Bish, said: "It simply beggars belief that the Home Secretary is still prepared to put businesses and livelihoods on the line by pushing through this code.
"Last year, we lost six pubs a day and over 17,000 jobs to the economy, now Jacqui Smith plans to sacrifice more on the altar of red tape."
The consultation into the draft code closes on 5 August.
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By Daniel Thomas
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