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| Doctors slam 'supersized' drinks | Doctors slam 'supersized' drinks |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Increasingly large pub measures are pushing customers towards unsafe levels of drinking, the Royal College of Physicians has warned. | |
| RCP president Ian Gilmore accused the pub industry of acting irresponsibly and urged it to put its house in order. | RCP president Ian Gilmore accused the pub industry of acting irresponsibly and urged it to put its house in order. |
| Some 14% of licensed premises say they now offer only 250ml sized wine glasses - equivalent to a third of a bottle. | Some 14% of licensed premises say they now offer only 250ml sized wine glasses - equivalent to a third of a bottle. |
| The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers hit back that it was in the business of offering customers choice. | The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers hit back that it was in the business of offering customers choice. |
| The 125ml wine glass used to be the standard size but now just 16% of pubs and bars say it is their normal size. | The 125ml wine glass used to be the standard size but now just 16% of pubs and bars say it is their normal size. |
| Some 73% say 175ml is the new "standard" and 250ml the large. | Some 73% say 175ml is the new "standard" and 250ml the large. |
| Maximise profits | Maximise profits |
| Meanwhile, many premises have increased spirit measures from 25 to 35ml and offer doubles as standard. | Meanwhile, many premises have increased spirit measures from 25 to 35ml and offer doubles as standard. |
| BBC correspondent Keith Doyle said there was even anecdotal evidence that some pub staff were under pressure to maximise profits by encouraging customers to opt for larger drinks. | BBC correspondent Keith Doyle said there was even anecdotal evidence that some pub staff were under pressure to maximise profits by encouraging customers to opt for larger drinks. |
| Industry magazine The Publican recently advised landlords to "train and incentivise staff to upsell products such as larger measures of wine and spirits". | Industry magazine The Publican recently advised landlords to "train and incentivise staff to upsell products such as larger measures of wine and spirits". |
| Quite simply it's profiteering. It's getting people to trade up. Greg MulhollandLib Dem MP | Quite simply it's profiteering. It's getting people to trade up. Greg MulhollandLib Dem MP |
| However, the industry insists it merely offers what customers want and that larger sizes are better value for money. | However, the industry insists it merely offers what customers want and that larger sizes are better value for money. |
| Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said: "We are in the business of customer choice, supersizing is where we are talking about king size beds, grande lattes. | Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said: "We are in the business of customer choice, supersizing is where we are talking about king size beds, grande lattes. |
| "Yes, where we are talking about beer and wine size is increasing, but the trick is to offer value." | "Yes, where we are talking about beer and wine size is increasing, but the trick is to offer value." |
| Safe limits | Safe limits |
| But as fears about a binge drinking epidemic mount, the trend has triggered a backlash from senior doctors and politicians. | But as fears about a binge drinking epidemic mount, the trend has triggered a backlash from senior doctors and politicians. |
| Professor Gilmore warned: "There is no doubt at all that many people are drinking significantly more than they realise. | Professor Gilmore warned: "There is no doubt at all that many people are drinking significantly more than they realise. |
| "People are aware of units, they want to stay within safe limits, but they are being pushed up way over those limits by just not realising what they are drinking. | "People are aware of units, they want to stay within safe limits, but they are being pushed up way over those limits by just not realising what they are drinking. |
| "I think the industry is being irresponsible and needs to put its house in order." | "I think the industry is being irresponsible and needs to put its house in order." |
| Greg Mulholland, a Liberal Democrat health spokesman, has introduced a bill in the House of Commons to amend weights and measures legislation to force all bars, pubs, clubs and licensed restaurants offer the 125ml measure. | Greg Mulholland, a Liberal Democrat health spokesman, has introduced a bill in the House of Commons to amend weights and measures legislation to force all bars, pubs, clubs and licensed restaurants offer the 125ml measure. |
| "Quite simply it's profiteering," he said. | "Quite simply it's profiteering," he said. |
| "It's getting people to trade up, calling a 175ml measure - which is really a large - a standard glass, and calling a 250ml a large - when in fact it is a third of a bottle of wine, nearly half a pint. | "It's getting people to trade up, calling a 175ml measure - which is really a large - a standard glass, and calling a 250ml a large - when in fact it is a third of a bottle of wine, nearly half a pint. |
| "All I'm saying really is people should have a choice. If they want a smaller measure they should get it." | "All I'm saying really is people should have a choice. If they want a smaller measure they should get it." |