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Plan for alcohol health warnings Plan for alcohol health warnings
(about 6 hours later)
Warnings to drink sensibily will be introduced on alcohol by the end of 2008 under a voluntary agreement between ministers and industry. Alcoholic drinks will carry new health warning labels by the end of 2008 under a voluntary agreement between ministers and the drinks industry.
The measure was first proposed three years ago, but both sides have struggled to agree on a format. The labels will detail alcoholic units and recommended safe drinking levels.
The labels will include the words such as "know your limits" or "drink responsibly" and include details of the amount of units each drink contains. Bottles and cans currently have alcohol percentages but only some state what this equals in alcoholic units.
Ministers said if the industry does not comply it will introduce legislation. Public health minister Caroline Flint says exactly what the labels will say is not decided but the warnings will not be as strong as for cigarettes.
Public Health Minister Caroline Flint called it a "landmark agreement". Calculating units
"We want to make it as simple as possible for people to keep an eye on how much they are drinking and help them take responsibility for lessening the impact excess alcohol can have on their health." The measure was first proposed three years ago, but both sides have struggled to agree on a format and it is not known how many drinks firms will sign up for the scheme.
However, ministers said if the industry does not comply it will introduce legislation.
The proposed warning labels will include the words such as "know your limits" or "drink responsibly" and include details of the amount of units each drink contains.
More than 7m people drink more than the recommended daily amounts - three to four units for men and two to three units for women.More than 7m people drink more than the recommended daily amounts - three to four units for men and two to three units for women.
A small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or one measure of spirits are each classed as one unit, but it depends on the percentage of alcohol the drink contains.
With some strong beers and ciders, a pint or a large bottle can add up to three units or more.
Though a great number of people are aware of units, the figures suggest that they can find it difficult to keep track of their own drinking Alcohol Concern spokesmanThough a great number of people are aware of units, the figures suggest that they can find it difficult to keep track of their own drinking Alcohol Concern spokesman
While the agreement has been reached by health ministers in England, it will effectively apply to the UK as manufacturers are unlikely to take a different tack depending on where it is sold. Ms Flint said: "This landmark, voluntary agreement will help people calculate, at a glance, how much they are drinking and whether they are staying within sensible drinking guidelines.
"There is no reason why you or I or anybody else shouldn't be able to enjoy alcohol safely and healthily and enjoy it.
"We've really got to think about the messages that are credible with people, because there's no point having messages that people just sort of switch off to and say that's ridiculous that doesn't help me. "And this is about helping people to make the right choices."
While the agreement has been reached only by health ministers in England, it will effectively apply to the UK as manufacturers are unlikely to take a different tack depending on where it is sold.
Information on units is already contained on some supermarket own-brand drinks, but for most of the industry it will be the first time they have carried specific warnings.Information on units is already contained on some supermarket own-brand drinks, but for most of the industry it will be the first time they have carried specific warnings.
As well as giving information about units, they will also warn that drinking alcohol should be avoided if pregnant or trying to conceive. Industry involvement
As well as giving information about units, the labels will also warn that drinking alcohol should be avoided if pregnant or trying to conceive.
They will also give the web address for the education campaign group Drink Aware.They will also give the web address for the education campaign group Drink Aware.
'Difficult to keep track'
Kevin Hawkins, of the British Retail Consortium, said the industry wanted to take a "responsible attitude to selling alcohol" and was committed to the system.Kevin Hawkins, of the British Retail Consortium, said the industry wanted to take a "responsible attitude to selling alcohol" and was committed to the system.
And he added: "Retailers have been actively involved in the development of this label and the concise and simple way it sets out information."And he added: "Retailers have been actively involved in the development of this label and the concise and simple way it sets out information."
A spokesman for Alcohol Concern said: "We're delighted that the government and industry have finally been able to reach a consensus on the issue.A spokesman for Alcohol Concern said: "We're delighted that the government and industry have finally been able to reach a consensus on the issue.
"Though a great number of people are aware of units, the figures suggest that they can find it difficult to keep track of their own drinking.""Though a great number of people are aware of units, the figures suggest that they can find it difficult to keep track of their own drinking."