This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7343737.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
Doctors attack 'supersize' drinks | Doctors attack 'supersize' drinks |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Increasingly large pub measures are pushing customers towards unsafe levels of drinking, the Royal College of Physicians has warned. | 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. |
The 125ml wine glass used to be the standard size but many pubs and bars are now using 175ml and 250ml measures. | The 125ml wine glass used to be the standard size but many pubs and bars are now using 175ml and 250ml measures. |
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. |
Maximise profits | Maximise profits |
Just 16% of pubs surveyed by industry magazine The Publican magazine said the 125ml glass was their normal size. | |
The 175ml glass was found to be the standard in three quarters of pubs, with 14% saying they use the 250ml glass - equivalent to a third of a bottle - as a standard measure. | |
Meanwhile, many premises are said to 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". |
Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: "Our view is that customers should be offered a choice of different wine glass sizes when they are drinking in a pub or restaurant." | Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: "Our view is that customers should be offered a choice of different wine glass sizes when they are drinking in a pub or restaurant." |
Nick Bish, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers | Nick Bish, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers |
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. |
Mark Hastings, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the larger glasses were a result of consumer outcry during the 1980s. | Mark Hastings, of the British Beer and Pub Association, said the larger glasses were a result of consumer outcry during the 1980s. |
"People felt short-changed in pubs because we were selling 125ml glasses," he told the BBC. | "People felt short-changed in pubs because we were selling 125ml glasses," he told the BBC. |
"So the pub sector moved to serving us in exactly the same way as people drink in their own homes. In other words it's what people want to buy." | "So the pub sector moved to serving us in exactly the same way as people drink in their own homes. In other words it's what people want to buy." |
If people were asking for smaller measures, he continued, "you can guarantee pubs will start producing them, because they want customers to be happy". | If people were asking for smaller measures, he continued, "you can guarantee pubs will start producing them, because they want customers to be happy". |
Safe limits | Safe limits |
However, as fears about a binge drinking epidemic mount, the trend has triggered a backlash from senior doctors and politicians. | However, 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." |