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07/04/2010
'Irresponsible' Drinks Promotions Banned
Irresponsible promotions including "all you can drink for £10" and "dentist chairs" will be banned under tough new powers introduced from today.
It is estimated that alcohol-related crime and disorder costs the UK taxpayer between £8 and £13 billion a year.
Offers now banned include "all you can drink for £10" offers, women drink free deals and speed drinking competitions.
These promotions encourage people to drink quickly or irresponsibly and could lead to crime or antisocial behaviour, the Home Office said.
So-called "dentist's chairs" where drink is poured directly into the mouths of customers making it impossible for them to control the amount they are drinking are also banned.
Tougher guidelines also insist free tap water is made available for customers - allowing people to space out their drinks and reduce the risks of becoming dangerously drunk.
More conditions will come into effect from October, to give retailers time to prepare.
These include ensuring all those who sell alcohol have an age verification policy in place requiring them to check the ID of anyone who looks under 18.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "The code will see an end to these promotions and ensure premises check the ID of those who appear to be underage helping to make our towns and city centres safer places for those who just want to enjoy a good night out."
Any premises that breach the mandatory code or any secondary conditions that have been imposed will face a range of possible sanctions including losing their licence, having additional tough conditions imposed on their licence or, on summary conviction a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.
(PR/BMcC)
It is estimated that alcohol-related crime and disorder costs the UK taxpayer between £8 and £13 billion a year.
Offers now banned include "all you can drink for £10" offers, women drink free deals and speed drinking competitions.
These promotions encourage people to drink quickly or irresponsibly and could lead to crime or antisocial behaviour, the Home Office said.
So-called "dentist's chairs" where drink is poured directly into the mouths of customers making it impossible for them to control the amount they are drinking are also banned.
Tougher guidelines also insist free tap water is made available for customers - allowing people to space out their drinks and reduce the risks of becoming dangerously drunk.
More conditions will come into effect from October, to give retailers time to prepare.
These include ensuring all those who sell alcohol have an age verification policy in place requiring them to check the ID of anyone who looks under 18.
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said: "The code will see an end to these promotions and ensure premises check the ID of those who appear to be underage helping to make our towns and city centres safer places for those who just want to enjoy a good night out."
Any premises that breach the mandatory code or any secondary conditions that have been imposed will face a range of possible sanctions including losing their licence, having additional tough conditions imposed on their licence or, on summary conviction a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.
(PR/BMcC)
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