Alcohol laws welcomed by retailers, who call for supermarket penalties

Friday, 19 December 2008
Harsher penalties for binge drinkers and a mandatory code of practice for alcohol retailers proposed by the government have been welcomed by the industry today.

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers said the measures are a "step forward", although it stressed supermarkets should be penalised for "irresponsibly cheap booze deals".

Chief executive Nick Bish said: "Until we can take control of below cost selling and bulk-buying deals, we won't truly be able to make progress on restraining alcohol related disorder."

As part of the Policing and Crime Bill, the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2005 would be amended, meaning the punishment threshold for persistent selling of alcohol to those underage would be lowered from three strikes to two strikes.

This month, drinks manufacturer Diageo said it fully supports the government's plans to introduce a code of practice.
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